COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 

W.  W.  FLOWERS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/proceedingsofagr01stat 


~ 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 


AGRICULTURAL  CONVENTION 


AND  OF  THE 


STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY 


OF 


SOUTH  CAROLINA, 

From  1839  to  1845— Inclusive. 

ORATIONS,  REPORTS  AND  OTHER  COMMUNICATIONS 

READ  AND  MADE  AT  DIFFERENT  TIMES  TO  THOSE  BODIES. 


& 


TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

A Memoir  on  the  Subjeet  of  Slavery, 

BV  CHAIVCELI.OB  WM.  HARPER. 

AND 

A LETTER  ON  MARL, 

BV  EX-fiOVERNOR  JAMES  H.  HAMMOND 


PUBLISHED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF 

€lje  £tate  Agricultural  £orietp 

OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


COLUMBIA : 

SUMMER  & CARROLL. 

PUBLISHERS- 


1846. 


t) 


THE 


i, 


PROCEEDINGS 

CF  THE 

AGRICULTURAL  CONVENTION 


AND  OF  THE 

STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY 

OF 

SOUTH  CAROLINA, 

Frcm  1839  to  1845— Hnclusavc* 

TOGETHER  WITH 

ORATIONS,  REPORTS  AND  OTHER  COMMUNICATIONS 

READ  AND  WADE  AT  DIFFERENT  TIMES  TO  THOSE  BODIES. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

A Memoir  on  tiae  Siafeject  of  Slavery, 

«BV  CHAPfOEJI.il  OR  WM,  HAKPEB, 

AND 

A LETTER  ON  MARL, 

«Y  EX.60VEKN0R  JA3BES  3f*.  EIAItEMONSK 


TUELISHED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF 

€ijt  £tate  Agricultural  c&ocietp 

OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


COLUMBIA: 

SUMMER  & CAEROLL, 

PCBLISHERg- 


1846- 


(oH  ! j 3 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Legislature  of  South  Carolina,  at  its  last  Session,, 
having  appropriated  a small  sum,  to  defray  the  expense  of 
publishing  the  Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Socie- 
ty, the  preparation  of  the  work  has  been  entrusted  to  the 
Publishers.  In  presenting  the  result  of  their  labors,  they 
may  not  be  considered  intrusive,  while  indulging  in  a few 
prefatory  remarks. 

The  economy  of  agriculture  has  been  considered  of  para- 
mount importance,  since  the  first  settlement  of  this  State. 
Legislation,  however,  has  done  less  for  the  advancement  of 
this  branch  of  industry,  than  for  any  other  in  South  Carolina. 
Our  planters  have  been  left  to  do  almost  entirely  for  them- 
selves ; nor  have  they  been  inactive.  As  far  back  as  the 
year  1784,  the  South  Carolina  Agricultural  society  was 
established.  Its  design  was  to  advance  the  art  of  agricul- 
ture in  the  State,  by  holding  out  encouragement  to  its  fol- 
lowers. The  society  has  continued  to  the  present  day, 
and,  at  every  period  of  its  existence,  has  done  much  to 
accomplish  the  purposes  of  its  institution.  Year  after  year, 
it  has  brought  its  members  together,  to  exchange  with  one 
another,  such  information  as  each  could  impart^and1  this,  in  a 
congregated  body,  has  been  laid  before  the  planters  of  the 
State,  as  an  useful  capital  from  which  to  derive  benefit. 


305045 


4 


INTRODUCTION. 


Upon  the  plan  of  this  society,  others  have  been  formed 
throughout  the  State — not  without  extending  very  marked 
improvement  to  the  whole  community  in  which  they  have 
been  established. 

In  1823,  as  many  as  eleven  Agricultural  Societies  were 
in  existence  in  different  portions  of  South  Carolina. 
These  were,  the  South  Carolina,  the  Pendleton,  the  Edge- 
field,  the  Barnwell,  the  St.  John’s  Colleton,  the  St.  Helena, 
the  Beaufort,  the  Beaufort  District,  the  St.  Andrews’,  the 
St.  Pauls’  and  the  Winyaw  Agricultural  Societies. 

In  July,  1826,  the  St.  John’s  Agricultural  Society,  invited 
her  sister  societies,  to  a conference  at  Charleston  in  the 
November  following.  The  meeting  was  .held,  and  the 
Hon.  Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook  as  chairman  of  a commit- 
tee appointed  for  the  purpose,  reported  the  plan  of  an 
United  Agricultural  Society,  to  convene  annually  at  Colum- 
bia, during  the  session  of  the  Legislature.  The  plan  was 
adopted ; and  in  December  of  the  same  year,  delegates 
from  all  the  societies  in  the  State,  except  the  South  Caro- 
lina and  Beaufort  District  societies,  attended  in  the  Coun- 
cil chamber  of  the  Town  of  Columbia.  The  Constitu- 
tion of  an  United  Agricultural  Society  was  then  ratified,  and 
the  Hon.  Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook,  elected  President. 
The  members  of  this  society,  in  almost  every  instance  were 
also  members  of  the  Legislature.  Their  two-fold  duties 
were  incompatible,  and  necessarily  that  of  the  less  impor- 
tance was  neglected.  As  a consequence,  the  society 
survived  but  three  years  ; having  conferred  no  other  ad- 
vantage on  the  planters  of  the  State,  than  to  direct  the  pub- 
lic mind  more  pointedly  to  their  vocation. 

Before  the  year  1825,  a committee  of  Agriculture  had  nev- 
er been  appointed  in  either  branch  of  our  Legislature.  In 
that  year,  Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook,  then  a member  of  the 
House,  moved  for  the  appointment  of  such  a committee, 


INTRODUCTION. 


5 


which  was  accordingly  done;  and  during  the  same  session, 
a similar  appointment  was  made  in  the  Senate.  Since 
that  time,  propositions  have  been  repeatedly  submitted  by 
these  committees  for  improving  the  agricultural  condition 
of  the  State  ;but  their  propositions,  until  recently,  were  on- 
ly received  to  meet  with  neglect.  Millions  of  dollars  have 
been  appropriated  to  support  the  most  chimerical  schemes 
of  other  interests,  while  that  of  agriculture,  has  been  left 
to  live  only  on  its  own  energies. 

What,  however,  had  been  attempted  by  the  planters 
themselves,  if  it  had  accomplished  no  other  good,  had  set 
enquiry  afloat.  The  seed  which  had  been  sown  by  the 
United  Agricultural  Society  in  1826,  began  to  germinate, 
wherever  it  had  been  scattered ; and  it  now  became  appa- 
rent that  the  auspicious  moment  had  arrived,  when  some- 
thing might  be  done  for  Agriculture  in  South  Carolina. 

During  the  summer  of  1839,  the  attention  of  the  plant- 
ers was  called  to  the  importance  of  the  subject,  by  repeated 
articles  published  in  the  Southern  Agriculturist,  from  Hon. 
Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  an 
invitation  was  extended  through  means  of  that  periodical,  to 
each  Agricultural  Society,  and  District  in  the  State,  to  send 
delegates  to  meet  in  convention  at  Columbia,  during  the 
session  of  the  Legislature,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
best  means  of  advancing  the  agriculture  of  South  Carolina. 
At  the  appointed  time  the  Convention  met.  An  account 
of  its  interesting  proceedings  will  be  found  in  this  publica- 
tion. Previous  to  its  dissolution,  as  will  be  seen,  the 
Convention  resolved  itself  into  a State  Agricultural  Socie- 
ty ; the  constitution  and  proceedings  of  which,  are  also 
embraced  in  this  volume. 

B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  Chancellor  B.  F.  Dunkin  and  Hon. 
James  Gregg,  were  appointed  to  memorialize  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  State,  on  the  subjects  acted  upon  by  the  Con- 


305043 


6 


INTRODUCTION. 


vention.  The  memorial  was  presented,  which  together 
with  so  much  of  the  Governor’s  Message  as  relates  to  agri- 
culture, was  referred  by  each  branch  of  the  Legislature  to 
their  respective  Agricultural  Committees.  In  the  House, 
B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Agri- 
culture, submitted  a report  and  resolutions,  which,  after  be- 
ing ordered  to  be  printed,  were,  on  account  of  the  advanced 
period  of  the  session,  laid  over  to  another  time.  Before 
the  next  session,  Mr.  Carroll  had  resigned  his  seat  as  a 
member  of  the  House,  and  the  late  R.  W.  Roper,  Esq., 
then  acting  as  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Agriculture, 
resumed  the  subject,  and,  with  indefatigable  exertion, 
pressed  it  to  a conclusion.  An  appropriation  of  two 
thousand  dollars,  for  conducting  a Geological  and  Agricul- 
tural Survey  of  the  State,  was  granted,  and  the  Governor 
instructed  to  select  a suitable  person  for  the  purpose. 
During  the  first  year,  the  survey  was  conducted  with  singu- 
lar ability  by  Edmund  Ruffin,  Esq.,  of  Virginia ; since 
which  time,  it  has  been  continued  by  M.  Tuomey,  Esq., 
also  of  that  State.  The  respective  reports  of  these  gen- 
tlemen have  been  published,  and  embody  very  important 
information  to  the  planter. 

Through  means  of  the  appropriation,  granted  the  State 
Agricultural  Society,  at  the  last  session  of  the  Legislature, 
this  volume  is  now  presented  to  the  public.  To  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Society,  and  the  orations,  reports,  &c.,  read 
before  it,  the  publishers  have  taken  the  liberty  of  appending 
the  Memoir  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  by  Chancellor  Wm. 
Harper,  and  a letter  on  Marl  addressed  to  the  Agricul- 
tural Society  of  Jefferson  county,  Georgia,  by  Ex-Governor 
James  H.  Hammond.  The  propriety  of  these  additions, 
every  one  will  admit  who  reads  the  respective  productions. 

In  perusing  the  able  documents  embraced  in  this  volume, 
it  will  doubtless  be  impressed  upon  the  readers  mind,  that 


INTRODUCTION. 


7 


South  Carolina  though  one  of  the  earliest  cultivated  colonies 
of  the  Union,  and  though  the  pursuits  of  its  people  have  been 
essentially  agricultural,  yet  such  is  the  impoverishment  of 
some  of  its  best  lands,  that  all  the  helps  of  science,  skill 
and  industry,  are  required  to  save  them  from  barrenness, 
and  to  restrain  her  people  from  that  spirit  of  emigration, 
which  is  every'  day  depopulating  many  portions  of  the 
State.  Engaged,  as  four-fifths  of  her  population  are,  in 
agriculture  ; deriving,  nine-tenths  of  her  treasure  from  the 
taxation  of  our  planters  ; raising,  as  she  does  one  twenty- 
fourth  pnrt  of  all  the  cotton  in  the  world  ; producing  too, 
one  seventh  of  all  the  exports  of  the  Union  ; and  paying 
into  the  national  treasury  one  million  of  dollars  more  than 
all  the  New  England  States  put  together,  it  certainly 
becomes  a question  of  no  little  interest,  what  has  been 
done  for  the  advancement  of  our  agricultural  interests. 
With  one  or  two  exceptions  legislative  aid  has  done 
nothing. 

While,  our  planters  have,  with  great  forbearance,  submit- 
ted  to  this  state  of  things,  those  of  other  States  have  been 
aroused,  and  insisting  upon  their  claims,  have  secured  many 
reforms  in  their  agricultural  condition.  They  have  been 
taught  to  feel  with  the  rest  of  the  enlightened  world,  that  Ag- 
riculture is  indeed  of  primary . importance  to  their  political 
economy — that  with  its  prosperity  all  other  branches  of 
industry  must  flourish  ; while  with  its  decline  they  must, 
just  as  certainly,  languish  and  decay — in  a word,  that 
agriculture  is  the  main  shaft  around  which  commerce  and 
manufactures  and  the  arts,  all  cluster,  and  by  which  they 
are  sustained  in  vitality  and  strength.  What,  therefore, 
other  states  have  acted  upon,  and  prosperously  consum- 
mated, is  neither  policy  nor  wisdom  for  South  Carolina  to 
neglect. 

Let  our  people  reflect  upon  these  facts.  Let  them 
recollect  that  the  history  of  the  world  has  proved,  that  nation- 


INTRODUCTION. 


al  importance,  and  we  may  add  national  independence 
itself,  are  based  on  the  prosperity  of  agriculturists  and  far- 
mers. That,  amid  the  fluctuations  of  all  other  interests 
amid  the  depressions  of  all  other  trades,  they  alone,  by  their 
natural  repugnance  to  sudden  excitement,  remain  the 
most  permanent  safeguards  to  the  preservation  of  our  insti- 
tutions and  liberty.  An  interest  so  vastly  important  to  our 
State,  should  certainly  not  be  neglected  by  our  legislators 
They  should  feel  that  to  foster  it,  by  all  judicious  and  con- 
stitutional means,  is  as  high  a duty  of  patriotism,  as  an- 
other they  could  be  called  upon  to  discharge. 


PROCEEDINGS 


OF  THE 


AGRICULTURAL  CONVENTION 


AND  OF 


THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY 


O F S O U T H CAROLINA, 


FROM  1339  TO  1345,  INCLUSIVE. 


Ill  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  people  of  most  of  the  Districts  in 
our  State,  the  delegates  to  the  Convention  assembled  in  the  Hall  ol  the 
House  of  Representatives,  on  the  evening  of  Monday,  November,  1839. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  R.  VV.  Gibbes,  Whitefield  Brooks,  Esq.,  was  requested 
to  take  the  Chair,  which  he  did.  Dr.  Gibbes  having  been  called  upon  to  act 
as  Secretary,  the  meeting  was  organized. 

The  delegates  having  been  called  upon  to  register  their  names,  the  follow 
ing  gentlemen  appeared  and  took  their  seats. 


FROM  MARLBOROUGH. 


James  Gillespie, 
W.  T.  Ellerbe, 


John  McQueen. 


CHESTERFIELD. 


Thomas  E.  Powe, 


J.  Wrigtt 


MARLON. 


Thomas  Evans, 
Williams  Evans, 


B.  Moodv 


EDGEFIELD. 


W.  Brooks, 
James  Terry, 


A.  P.  Butler, 

J.  O.  Nicholson 


AGRICULTURAL 


■DARLINGTON. 

Thomas  E.  Mclver, 
W.  H.  Cannon,  Sen., 
W.  Wingate, 

FAIRFIELD. 

Thomas  P.  Lide, 
J.  F.  Ervin. 

J.  J.  Myers, 

W.  K.  Davis, 
Edward  Means, 

CHESTER. 

J.  B.  Davis, 
J.  H.  Means, 
D.  Elkin. 

T.  W.  Moore, 

RICHLAND. 

J.  D.  Crawford. 

F.  H.  Elmore, 
James  Gregg, 

SUMTER. 

Robert  W.  Gibbes, 
Robert  Henry. 

John  P.  Richardson, 
Dr.  St.  P.  DuBose, 

Isaac  Lenoir, 

ANDERSON  AND  PICKENS 

James  B.  Richardson. 
Thomas  J.  Wilder, 

J.  W.  English. 

J.  W.  Norris, 

J.  N.  Garvin, 
Thomas  Pinckney, 

SPARTANBURG. 

J.  P.  Reed, 
Jesse  M’Kinney. 

H.  H.  Thompson, 

John  W.  Hunt, 

William  K.  Poole, 
1 

John  Crawford, 
Samuel  N.  Evans. 

CRANC-E  AND  ST.  MATTHEWS. 

John  M.  Felder, 

S.  B.  Dwight,  , 
Elisha  Tyler, 

S.  Glover, 
Jacob  Stroman, 
D.  F.  Jamison. 

PROCEEDINGS. 


11 


Benjamin  Massey, 
M.  Climon, 
William  Reed, 


John  A.  Calhoun, 
A.  B.  Arnold, 

D.  L.  Wardlaw, 

Simeon  Fair, 


Bannister  Stone. 


Charles  R.  Carroll, 
W.  S.  Reynolds, 
James  D.  Erwin, 


J.  A.  Addison, 
J.  C.  Geiger, 
L.  Boozer, 


F.  D.  Quash, 


John  H.  Dawson, 


W.  Lawton, 
William  J.  Bull, 


LANCASTER. 

J.  P.  Crockett, 
John  M.  Baskin. 

ABBEVILLE. 

P.  F.  Morange, 
James  Fair, 
George  McDuffie. 

NEWBERRY. 


GREENVILLE. 


BARNWELL. 

J.  H.  Hammond, 
W.  Gilmore  Simms. 

LEXINGTON. 

L.  Pou, 

W.  F.  Percival, 

IJ.  J.  Caughman. 

st.  phillip’s  and  st.  Michael’s. 

W.  "Washington. 


st.  John’s  Berkley. 

P.  P.  Palmer. 
st.  Andrew’s. 

B.  R.  Carroll, 


st.  John’s  colleton. 


W.  M.  Murray, 


J.  Jenkins  Mikell 


12 


AGRICULTURAL 


ST.  HELENA  ISLAND. 


J.  A.  Scott, 


John  E.  Frampton. 


PRINCE  WILLIAMS. 


PRINCE  GEORGE  WINYAW. 


B.  F.  w.  Allston. 

ALL  SAINTS. 

B.  F.  Dunkin, 

On  motion  of  B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  Col.  F.  H.  Elmore,  was  unanimously 

elected  President  of  the  Convention,  and  a committee  of  three  designated 
to  attend  him  to  the  chair. 

The  President  having  addressed  the  Convention,  and  stated  that  the  meet- 
ing was  ready  to  receive  resolutions, 

Dr.  James  B.  Davis  proposed  the  following  resolution,  which  was  passed 

Resolved , That  the  President  appoint  four  Vice  Presidents  for  this 
Convention.  Whereupon  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  : 

Col.  R.  F.  W . Allston,  of  Prince  George  Winyaw. 

Gen.  George  McDuffie,  of  Abbeville. 

Gen.  James  Gillespie,  of  Marlboro.’ 

William  Elliott,  of  Beaufort. 

B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  introduced  the  following  resolution,  which  was 
carried. 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  fifteen  be  appointed,  to  arrange  business 
for  the  Convention. 

The  Chair  then  named  the  following  gentlemen  : 

B.  R.  Carroll,  of  St.  Andrews, 

W.  T.  Ellerbee,  of  Marlboro’, 

Thomas  Evans,  of  Marion, 

William  H.  Cannon,  of  Darlington. 

James  B.  Davis,  of  Fairfield, 

J.  Gregg,  of  Richland, 

W.  S.  Reynolds,  of  Barnwell, 

J.  P.  Richardson,  of  Sumter, 

A.  B.  Arnold,  of  Abbeville, 

J.  H.  Hammond,  of  Barnwell, 

F.  D.  Quash,  of  St.  Phillip  and  St.  Michael. 


PROCEEDINGS, 


13 


J.  A.  Scott,  of  St.  Helena  Island, 

B.  F.  Dunkin,  of  All  Saints, 

W.  Brooks,  of  Edgefield, 

B.  Massey,  of  Lancaster. 

Dr.  Davis  moved  that  the  committee  be  allowed  until  6 o'clock  to  nfor* 
row  evening  to  prepare  their  Report — which  was  agreed  to.. 

On  motion  of  Charles  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  the  Convention  adjourned  till  six 
o’clock  on  Tuesday  evening. 


Tuesday,  Nov.  26,  1839. 

The  Convention  met  agreeably  to  appointment  at  six  o’clock.  The  min, 
utes  of  the  first  meeting  were  read. 

On  motion  of  H.  J.  Caughman,  Esq., 

It  was  resolved,  that  delegates  who  are  present,  who  have  not  registered 
their  names  in  the  Secretary’s  book,  be  requesed  to  do  so. 

The  following  gentlemen  appeared,  enrolled  their  names,  and  took  their 
seats. 

From,  Fairfield — W.  J.  Allston,  John  M,  Robertson,  and  Burrel  B.  Cook 
From  Sumter — Hon.  J.  S.  Richardson. 

From  Anderson — J.  B.  Reed,  J.  E.  Calhoun. 

From  Richland — R.A  . Goodwyn,  D.  D.  Fenley. 

From  Edgefield — M.  Watson. 

From  Lexington — H.  Arthur. 

From  Union-^Z.  F.  Herndon. 

From  Prince  George  Winyaw— ■‘Thomas  G.  Carr. 

The  President  called  for  the  Report  of  the  committee  of  fifteen,  when  the 
Chairman,  B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  submitted  the  following 

REPORT: 

The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  business  for  the  Agricultural  Con* 
vention,  beg  leave  respectfully  to  report,  that  after  an  enquiry,  in  which  the 
sentiments  of  the  different  sections  of  our  State  have  been  consulted,  they 
are  of  opinion  that  the  following  subjects  are  fit  and  proper  for  the  consid* 
eration  of  the  Convention,  viz  : 

1.  The  creation  by  the  Legislature,  of  an  Agricultural  professorship  in 
the  South  Carolina  College 


14 


AGRICULTURAL 


2.  The  appropriation  by  the  Legislature  of  a sum  of  money  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  a Geological  and  Agricultural  Survey  of  the  State. 

3.  The  establishment  of  an  Agricultural  School  in  some  central  and 
healthy  position  of  the  State. 

4.  The  establishment  of  a State  Board  of  Agricultural,  to  meet  at  Col- 
umbia or  somewhere  else  in  the  State. 

5.  The  introduction  into  our  free  schools  of  some  elementary  work  on 
Agriculture. 

In  limiting  their  recommendation  to  the  propositions  alluded  to,  the  com- 
mittee have  done  so  with  the  view  of  not  crowding  upon  the  Convention  the 
consideration  of  too  many  topics  of  absorbing  interest.  They  belieye  that 
the  fault  of  our  Agricultural  meetings  has  heretofore  been,  that  they  have 
attempted  too  much,  and  done  too  little.  Hoping,  therefore,  that  they  have 
selected  such  matters  as  will  interest  the  Convention,  they  beg  to  be  dis- 
discharged  from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject.” 

The  report  having  been  laid  before  the  Convention  for  discussion,  Charles 
R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  addressed  the  Chair  in  support  of  its  recommendations. — 
He  was  followed  by  James  H.  Hammond,  Esq.,  in  opposition.  J.  A.  Cal- 
houn, Esq.,  and  B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  spoke  in  reply  to  Col.  Hammond. 

B.  R.  Cajrol),  Esq.,  moved  to  consider  the  propositions  of  the  Report 
separately,  and  to  add  to  the  first  and  second  propositions,  the  words,  “and 
that  the  same  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature  so  that  they  would  read 
as  follows  : 

1.  The  creation,  by  the  Legislature,  of  an  Agricultural  Professorship  in 
the  South  Carolina  College,  and  that  the  same  be  recommended  to  the  Leg- 
i slature. 

2.  The  appropriation,  by  the  Legislature,  of  a sum  of  money  to  defray 
the  expenses  of  a Geological  and  Agricultural  Survey  of  the  State,  and  that 
the  same  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature. 

Col.  Hammond  moved  to  lay  the  first  proposition  on  the  table,  which  was 
agreed  to.  He  then  moved  to  lay  the  second  proposition  on  the  table,  which 
was  rejected.  The  ayes  not  being  satisfied,  the  votes  were  taken  by  tellers, 
when  it  was  found  that  there  were  34  ayes,  57  noes.  So  the  second  propo- 
sition was  before  the  meeting. 

H.  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  moved, 

“That  upon  that  proposition  there  should  be  a division  of  the  question, 
and  that  the  vote  should  be  taken  on  the  propriety  of  recommending  a Geo- 
logical Survey  apart  from  an  Agricultural  Survey 

This  motion  was  under  discussion,  when  it  was  moved  by  Dr.  Arnold, 
that  the  Convention  do  now  adjourn,  to  meet  on  to  to-morrow  evening  at  half 
past  five  o’clock. 

The  Convention  then  adjourned. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


15 


Wednesday,  Nov.  27,  1339. 

The  Convention  was  organized  at  tiie  hour  appointed.  The  minutes  of 
the  previous  meeting  were  read. 

The  President  stated  that  the  Convention  was  prepared  for  business,  and 
that  the  subject  for  their  consideration  was  “the  propriety  of  recommending 
to  the  Legislature  a geological  survey  apart  from  an  agricultural  survey  of 
the  State.” 

Gen.  McDuffiie  addressed  the  Convention  in  favor  of  the  resolution,  which 
was  carried  by  a large  majority. 

The  question  was  then  put  on  the  second  part  of  the  proposition  as  divided, 
viz  : “ On  the  propriety  of  recommending  to  the  Legislature  an  agricultural 
survey  of  the  State,”  and  carried  by  a vote  of  33  ayes,  32  noes. 

The  question  then  recurred  on  the  second  original  proposition  as  reported 
by  committee,  as  follows  : 

The  appropriation  by  the  Legislature  of  a sum  of  money  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  a geological  and  agricultural  survey  of  the  State,  and  that  the 
same  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature  ; which  was  agreed  to. 

The  third,  fourth  and  fifth  propositions  were  put  and  rejected. 

The  report  of  the  committee,  as  amended,  was  then  submitted  to  the  meet- 
ing and  adopted,  and,  on  motion  of  Mr.  A.  B.  Arnold,  the  President  requested 
to  transmit  a copy  to  both  branches  of  the  Legislature. 


THE  REPORT,  AS  ADOPTED. 


The  committee  appointed  to  prepare  business  for  the  Agricultural  Conven- 
tion, beg  leave  respectfully  to  report,  that,  after  an  enquiry,  in  which  the  sen- 
timents of  the  different  sections  of  our  State  have  been  consulted,  they  are  of 
opinion  that  the  following  is  a fit  subject  for  the  consideration  of  the  Conven- 
tion, viz  : 

The  appropriation  by  the  Legislature  of  a sum  of  money  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  a geological  and  agricultural  survey  of  the  State,  and  that  the 
same  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature. 

In  limiting  their  recommendation  to  the  proposition  alluded  to,  the  com- 
mittee  have  done  so,  with  the  view  of  not  crowding  upon  the  Convention  the 
consideration  of  too  many  topics  of  absorbing  interest.  They  believe  that 
the  fault  of  our  agricultural  meetings  has  heretofore  been,  that  they  have 
attempted  too  much,  and  done  too  little.  Hoping,  therefore,  that  they  have 


16 


AGRICULTURAL 


selected  such  a matter  as  will  interest  the  Convention,  they  beg  to  be  dis- 
charged from  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject  intrusted  to  them. 

At  the  request  of  J.  M.  Felder,  Esq.,  the  Hon.  A.  P.  Butler,  who  had 
voted  in  the  affirmative,  moved  a reconsideration  of  the  report,  in  order  that 
he  might  propose  an  amendment  thereto ; which  was  agreed  to. 

He  then  proposed  the  following  amendment  to  the  report : 

Resolved , That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Legislature  to  take  measures  to 
secure  a sound  and  stable  currency  to  this  State. 

Maj.  Felder  spoke  at  length  in  favor  of  his  motion.  Hon.  A.  P,  Butler 
said  a few  words  in  opposition,  and  proposed  to  lay  it  on  the  table;  which 
was  carried. 

Dr.  James  B.  Davis  then  introduced  the  following  resolutions  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  a State  Agricultural  Society  be  formed  forthwith,  to 
meet  in  Columbia. 

2.  Resolved , That  the  Society  be  recommended  to  establish  an  annual 
Fair  and  Stock  show  in  the  town  of  Columbia  with  suitable  premiums  for  the 
finest  animals  exhibited,  &c.  The  exhibition  to  be  held  on  the  first  week  of 
the  session. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  society  be  also  recommended  to  offer  suitable  pre- 
miums for  the  best  lots  of  Cotton,  best  variety  of  Corn,  small  grain,  &c. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  society  be  recommended  to  offer  suitable  premiums 
for  the  best  essay  on  the  cultivation  of  Rice,  Corn,  Small  Grain,  Cotton  and 
the  Grasses,  embracing  in  each  essay  a complete  manual  in  the  whole  ope- 
rations of  a plantation,  of  each  of  these  products,  of  suitable  size,  compre- 
hending management  of  negroes  and  stock,  improving  lands,  &c. 

5.  Resolved,  That  said  society  be  divided  into  committees  allotted  to  each 
and  every  distinct  branch  of  agriculture,  embracing  geology,  introduction  of 
foreign  seeds,  &c. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  society  provide  the  means  of  paying  these  premi- 
,ums  by  an  annual  tax  on  the  members. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  Convention  recommend  to  each  District  to  form 
Agricultural  Societies. 

W.  Brooks,  Esq.,  proposed  the  following  amendment;  which  was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That,  as  an  efficient  auxiliary  towards  the  accomplishment  of 
this  high  and  honorable  purpose,  it  is  expedient  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of 
a cheap  agricultural  paper,  to  be  issued  weekly  at  the  Seat  of  Government, 
and  that  the  same  be  recommended  to  the  patronage  of  the  public. 

Dr.  Davis  proposed  the  following  amendment  to  his  resolutions  ; which 
was  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  recommend  to  public  patronage,  as  a means 
of  diffusing  agricultural  information,  such  papers  as  may  be  published  in  the 
State,  having  for  their  object  the  diffusion  of  all  matters  pertaining  to  agri- 
culture. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


17 


J,  E.  Calhoun,  Esq.,  moved  to  lay  on  the  table  the  last  resolutions  relating 
to  agricultural  papers ; which  motion  was  rejected. 

Gen.  J.  H.  Adams  called  for  a division  of  the  question  on  Dr.  Davis’s  re- 
solutions, and  that  the  first  resolution  be  considered  separately  ; which  was 
agreed  to,  and  the  resolution  adopted,  viz. 

Resolved,  That  a State  Agricultural  society  be  formed  forthwith,  to  meet 
in  Columbia. 

Mr.  Davis  then  moved, 

That  a committee  of  nine  be  appointed  by  the  Chair  to  report  to  this  Con- 
vention, to-morrow  evening,  a proper  plan  for  the  organization  of  a State  So- 
ciety, and  that  the  remaining  six  resolutions  of  Dr.  Davis  be  referred  to  them. 
Agreed  to. 

B.  B.  Cook,  Esq.,  moved, 

That  this  Convention  recommend  to  the  Legislature  to  require  the  several 
Tax  collectors  of  this  State  to  take  a return  annually  of  the  sums  paid  by 
each  person  in  their  respective  districts  and  parishes  for  western  produce, 
viz:  for  hogs,  horses  and  mules,  and  make  a return  thereof  to  such  officer  as 
they  may  direct.  This  resolution  was  adopted,  and,  on  motion  of  Major 
Felder,  his  resolution  was  taken  up  and  referred  to  the  committee  of  nine. 

The  President  announced  the  following  gentlemen  to  compose  the  Com- 
mittee : 

Hon.  Geo.  McDuffie,  of  Abbeville, 

Dr.  Jas.  B.  Davis,  of  Fairfield, 
lion.  J.  P.  Richardson,  of  Sumter, 

Hon  B.  F.  Dunkin,  of  All  Saints, 

Hon.  James  Gregg,  of  Richland, 

Hon.  R.  F.  W.  Alston,  of  Prince  George,  Winyaw, 

Col.  Thos.  Pinckney,  of  Pendleton, 

W.  Brooks,  Esq.,  of  Edgefield, 

W.  Gilmore  Simms,  Esq.,  of  Barnwell. 

The  President  read  a communication  from  Dr.  S.  Blanding,  presenting  two 
copies  of  the  New  England  Farmer,  from  Mr.  J.  Breck,  of  Boston ; which 
was  referred  to  the  committee  of  nine. 

W.  Gilmore  Simms,  Esq.,  introduced  the  following  preamble  and  resolu- 
tions : 

Whereas,  in  consequence  of  the  scattered  condition  of  our  settlements 
throughout  the  country,  the  present  plan  of  poor  school  education  is  found 
inoperative  in  most  instances  and  partial  and  unsatisfactory  in  all — those 
towns  and  cities  alone  excepted,  where  the  number  of  pupils  is  sufficiently 
great  to  justify  the  employment  of  competent  teachers. 

Be  it  recommended  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  now  in  session, 

2 


18 


AGRICULTURAL 


That  a tract  of  land  not  to  contain  less  than  fifteen  hundered  nor  more 
than  five  hundred  acres,  centrally  chosen,  or  as  nearly  so  as  practicable.  Ic 
procured  in  each  of  the  districts,  with  which  the  poor  establishment  of  such 
district  shall  thenceforward  be  endowed — that  on  the  said  tract  of  land,  suita- 
ble buildings  shall  be  erected  for  the  reception  and  accommodation  of  such  a 
number  of  poor  boys,  as,  according  to  the  census  of  the  district,  it  shall  be 
likely  to  contain — that  provision  be  made  of  all  the  usual  and  necessary 
utensils  for  farm  culture,  as  practised  in  said  d. strict  —that  it  be  moderately 
stocked  with  the  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  and  all  such  other  animal'?  as  arc  found 
useful  in  such  an  establishment — tiiat  when  this  is  done,  a teacher  of  known 
intelligence  and  integrity  be  procured,  who  shall  receive  an  adequate  salary 
for  the  tuition  of  all  pupils  who  may  be  placed  under  his  care  by  the  Com- 
missioners of  the  said  district — and  that  for  certain  periods  in  the  day,  and 
in  certain  classes  and  divisions,  to  be  hereafter  determined  by  the  commis- 
sioners, he  shall  have  entire  control  of  their  studies  and  their  time — that  at 
all  other  periods,  the  said  pupils  shall  be  placed  under  the  control  of  a com- 
petent intendant  or  overseer,  who  shall  direct  their  labors  and  industry  white 
preparing  them  as  farmers  and  planters,  for  the  proper  performance  of  such 
duties  in  after  life,  as  may  seem  best  to  correspond  with  their  condition  and 
necessities — and  that  the  commissioners  of  each  district  be  empowered  to 
receive  as  indented  apprentices  to  the  poor  school  of  said  district  on  behalf 
of  the  State,  all  such  boys,  the  parents  of  whom  may  be  found  desirous  of 
securing  for  them  the  advantages  of  such  tuition,  and  till  such  orphans,  as, 
governed  by  a praiseworthy  ambition,  may  be  willing  to  avail  themselves  of 
the  same — the  term  of  apprenticeship  in  no  case  to  be  less  than  three,  no.- 
more  than  seven  years — unless  in  the  case  of  such  youth  as  may  be  already 
greatly  advanced  towards  the  years  and  purposes  of  manhood,  and  who,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  commissioners,  may  be  received  for  a still  shorter  period. 

Be  it  recommended  yet  farther — that  on  the  same  plantation  or  tract  of 
land,  but  removed  from  close  proximity  to  the  dwellings  and  the  school-house 
of  the  boys,  there  be  erected  suitable  houses  for  the  reception  and  accommo- 
modation  of  poor  girls,  who  shall  be  placed  under  the  tuition  of  one  or  more 
female  superintendants,  from  whom  they  shall  learn  the  ordinary  elements  of 
a plain  English  education,  and,  in  addition,  such  duties  of  a farm  and  house- 
hold as  ordinarily  devolve  upon  females  in  our  country — that  they  shall  spin, 
weave  and  sew,  attend  to  poultry  and  the  dairy — the  culture  of  the  silk- 
work  rf  it  be  advisable,  and  be  taught  also  to  fashion  and  make  their  own 
and  the  habits  of  the  boys  — the  latter  in  turn,  performing  all  those  severer 
labors  of  the  plantation,  as  will  yield  sufficient  food  and  provision  for  both 
establishments. 

Be  it  further  recommended,  that  in  addition  to  the  studies  of  the  ordinary 


PROCEEDINGS. 


19 


English  Grammar  school,  the  master  of  the  male  department  shall  be  requir- 
ed to  instruct  his  pupils  in  a competent  knowledge  of  simple  land  surveying. 

It  is  recommended  also,  that  the  dress  of  the  boys  be  made  uniform,  and 
that  the  elder  boys,  ranging  from  the  years  of  15  to  IS,  be  provided  with 
light  muskets,  and  be  subjected  to  the  drill  and  instruction,  once  a month,  of 
the  neighborhood  Captain  of  Militia. 

Resolved , That  these  recommendations  be  respectfully  submitted  to  the 
General  Assembly,  with  the  prayer  of  this  convention,  that  they  be  subjected 
to  examination  and  experiment,  in  three  of  the  districts  of  the  State,  in  order 
that  their  operations  may  be  witnessed,  prior  to  their  general  adoption,  as  a 
system  for  all  the  districts.  That  in  order  that  the  experiment  should  be 
fairly  made,  the  districts  so  chosen  should  lie,  one  in  each  of  the  grand  di- 
visions of  the  State,  the  upper,  the  middle  and  the  lower  country,  and  that  the 
present  commissioners  of  the  districts  chosen,  be  required  to  take  charge  of 
the  entire  subject. 

The  preamble  and  resolutions  having  been  submitted,  J.  E.  Calhoun  moved 
that  they  be  laid  on  the  table  ; which  was  agreed  to. 

J.  A.  Calhoun,  Esq.,  of  Abbeville,  then  moved  that  the  Convention  do  now 
adjourn  to  meet  to-morrow  evening  at  half  past  five  o’clock  ; which  motion 
prevailed  and  the  Convention  adjourned. 

ROBER.T  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


Thursday,  Nov.  28,  1839. 

The  Convention  met  at  the  appointed  hour.  The  minutes  of  the  previous 
meeting  were  read.  The  President  called  for  the  report  of  the  committee 
of  nine,  whereupon  the  Chairman  stated  that  the  committee  were  not  fully 
prepared  to  submit  their  report,  and  asked  the  indulgence  of  the  Convention 
until  to-morrow  evening;  which,  upon  taking  the  vote,  was  agreed  to. 

The  following  delegates  appeared  and  enrolled  their  names  : Alexander 
Sparks,  Darlington;  E.  C.  Johnson,  Union;  J.  Rose,  St.  Philips  and  St. 
Michaels;  John  Wilson,  St.  James  Goose  Creek;  Ed.  Tho.  Heriot,  All 
Saints. 

John  A.  Calhoun,  Esq.,  introduced  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved , That  the  Trustees  of  the  South  Carolina  College  be  requested 
to  have  delivered,  by  the  Professor  of  Chemistry,  in  addition  to  his  other  du- 
ties, a course  of  lectures  on  Agricultural  Chemistry ; Provided  that  they  do 
not  interfere  with  his  regular  duties. 

Dr.  Gibbes  moved  an  amendment  to  the  resolution,  to  insert  after  the 
words  “ Agricultural  Chemistry,”  the  words  “ and  also  on  the  principles  of 
Geology;”  which  was  agreed  to. 


20 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  resolution,  as  amended,  was  unanimously  adopted. 

Dr.  W.  S.  Reynolds,  moved  the  appointment  of  a committee  of  three  to 
communicate  the  resolution  to  the  President  of  the  Trustees  ; whereupon  the 
President  designated, 

DR.  WM.  S.  REYNOLDS, 

HON.  A.  P.  BUTLER, 

HON.  J.  S.  RICHARDSON. 

The  President  informed  the  Convention  that  he  had  received  from  Mr.  R, 
E.  Russell,  proprietor  of  the  Botanic  Garden  in  Columbia,  with  a request 
that  he  would  present  them  to  the  society,  a loaf  of  Beet  Sugar  from  France, 
and  several  beautiful  specimens  of  native  Silk  ; which  were  laid  before  the 
Convention. 

F.  D.  Quash,  F.sq.,  moved, 

That  the  Convention  return  their  thanks  to  Mr.  R.  E.  Russell,  for  the  spe- 
cimens  of  surgar  and  silk  presented  by  him  : and  also  to  Mr.  J.  Breck,  of 
Boston,  for  the  pamphlets  on  agriculture,  presented  by  him. 

The  President  requested  to  know  what  disposition  he  should  make  of  the 
specimens  before  him  ; whereupon  it  was  moved  by  Mr.  Quash, 

Thatthey  be  presented  to  the  Secretary  ; which  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

W.  Gilmore  Simms,  Esq.,  introduced  the  following  resolutions,  with  a re- 
quest  that  they  should  be  laid  on  the  table ; which  was  agreed  to  : 

Resolved,  That  no  people  can  be  held  capable  of  self  government,  who 
require  to  be  deceived  as  to  the  amount  of  their  Government  expenses,  and 
that  no  man  can  be  held  a freeman,  who  does  not  look  the  cost  of  his  liber- 
ties in  the  face. 

Resolved  therefore , That  direct  taxation,  while  it  saves  the  citizen  from 
the  constant  impositions  of  the  cunning,  is  the  only  honest,  cheap,  safe  me- 
dium  for  raising  supplies  in  a country  such  as  ours. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  a fraud  upon  the  public,  whenever  a bank  or  other 
chartered  corporation  declares  a dividend  upon  borrowed  money,  or  upon  any 
basis  other  than  its  clear  receipts,  and  good  faith  profits. 

Resolved , That  if  it  be  not  an  usurpation,  it  is  at  least  an  abuse  of  power 
on  the  part  of  the  Legislature  to  tax  the  citizens  for  any  but  the  unquestion- 
able exigencies  and  expenses  of  the  country,  and  that  most  alliances  between 
the  State  and  any  one  class  of  its  citizen®,  in  trade  or  speculation,  result  un- 
favorably  to  that  wholesome  competition  of  other  classes  of  the  community, 
from  which  the  people  derive  many  of  their  chief  securities. 

On  motion  of  J.  P.  Richardson,  Esq.,  the  Convention  adjourned  to  meet 
to-morrow  evening  at  six  o’clock. 


ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


21 


Friday,  Nov.  29,  1S39. 

The  Convention  convened  this  evening  at  the  hour  appointed-  The  min- 
utes of  the  previous  meeting  were  read. 

The  President  called  for  the  reports  of  committees. 

Gen.  Geo.  McDuffie  submitted  from  the  committee  of  nine,  a constitution 
for  a State  Agricultural  Society,  and  several  resolutions. 

The  constitution  having  been  discussed  and  amended  was  adopted.  The 
reslutions  were  also  adopted  as  follows  : 

1.  Resolved,  That  the  President  be  allowed  time  to  nominate  the  commit- 
tees, and  that  he  do  appoint  a committee  to  select  the  best  essay  on  the  cul- 
tivation of  Rice  and  Cotton  respectively,  each  of  such  essays  to  embrace  a 
complete  manual  of  suitable  size,  exhibiting  the  whole  economy  of  a planta. 
tion,  comprehending  management  of  negroes,  rearing  of  stock,  and  improve- 
ment of  lands,  and  that  he  do  provide  a suitable  premium  for  the  same. 

2.  Resolved,  That  a committee  be  appointed  to  memorialize  the  Legisla- 
ture  to  grant  an  annual  donation  of  the  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  for  the 
term  of  three  years,  to  aid  the  society  in  providing  its  premiums. 

3.  Resolved,  That  this  society  do  request  the  members  from  the  several 
districts  to  use  their  exertions  to  have  local  societies  formed  in  each  district, 
to  be  affiliated  with  this  society — and  that  it  be  recommended  to  such  local 
societies  to  offer  premiums  for  the  best  managed  plantation  in  their  respective 
districts,  as  well  as  superiority  in  particular  department  and  products. 

The  committee  ask  leave  to  report  of  Mr.  Felder’s  resolution, 

That  while  they  consider  the  resolution  as  of  vast  importance  to  the  true 
interests  of  the  agricultural  community,  they  are  yet  of  opinion  that  none  of 
its  importance  will  escape  the  reflection,  or  elude  the  vigilance,  of  the  Legis- 
loture.  They  deem  it  advisable,  therefore,  to  leave  it  to  the  ordinary  legisla- 
tion, in  the  confidence  and  hope  that  they  will  give  it  the  consideration  which 
its  importance  demands. 

The  committee  recommend  the  following  gentlemen  as  officers  of  the  State 
Agricultural  Society  : 

His  Excellency,  PATRICK  NOBLE,  Pesident, 

WHITEMARSH  B.  SEABROOK,  V.  President, 
COL.  W.  BROOKS, 

COL.  W.  K.  CLOWNEY, 

COL.  JAS.  GREGG, 

CHANC.  B.  F.  DUNKIN, 

B.  R.  CARROLL,  ESQ.  Corresponding  Sect’y, 

R.  W.  GIBBES,  Recording  Sect’y  and  Treas. 

On  motion  of  J.  Hammond,  Esq.,  Gen.  Geo.  McDuffie  was  appointed 
unanimously  Anniversary  Orator  for  1840. 


22 


AGRICULTURAL 


Gen.  McDuffie  proposed  to  consider  the  constitution,  clause  by  clause,  and 
the  resolution  separately ; all  of  which,  after  some  discussion,  were  adopted. 

Whitfield  Brooks,  Esq.,  introduced  the  following  resolutions,  with  a re- 
quest that  it  should  be  laid  on  the  table;  which  was  agreed  to  : 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  convention,  the  multiplication  of 
Banks  in  the  State,  invested  with  the  legal  right  of  substituting  credit  for  cap- 
ital, to  three  times  the  amount  of  the  latter,  and  the  imputed  and  ruinous 
practice  by  many,  of  exceeding  their  chartered  limits  from  five  to  seven  fold, 
has  had  the  effect  of  changing  almost  the  entire  currency  of  the  country 
from  Gold  and  Silver  to  Paper  ; of  substituting,  for  a metallic  currency  of 
permanent  and  intrinsic  value,  one  of  paper,  of  uncertain  and  fluctuating 
value — that  one  of  the  natural  and  inevitable  effects  of  this  system  has  been 
to  drive  the  more  valuable  currency  from  circulation,  to  be  transported  to 
other  countries,  or  to  be  hoarded  in  the  vaults  of  these  chartered  institutions. 

Resolved,  That  another  consequence,  no  less  injurious  to  the  country,  has 
been  produced  by  the  prodigal  issue  of  a paper  currency,  of  creating  two 
standards  of  value  in  the  markets  of  Europe  and  this  country  ; the  one  for- 
eign, which  is  regulated  by  gold  and  silver  metals  of  intrinsic  and  uniform 
value  among  all  nations  ; and  the  other  domestic,  which  is  regulated  and  con- 
trolled  by  paper ; that  two  thirds  of  the  amount  of  its  circulation  depend  upon 
credit  for  the  standard  of  value,  which  is  therefore  always  fluctuating  with 
the  expansions  and  contractions  of  bank  issues.  That  in  consequence  of 
this  state  of  things,  the  planter  of  cotton  is  forced  to  sell  his  produce  at  a 
price  regulated  by  gold  and  silver,  and  to  purchase  every  article  of  consump- 
tion by  a paper  standard  in  the  domestic  market. 

Resolved,  That  the  legalized  privileges  of  the  banks,  and  their  prodigal 
use  of  it,  has  mainly  contributed  to  the  wild  and  ruinous  speculations,  which 
have  characterized  the  present  age  ; and,  to  produce  the  late  and  existing  de- 
rangement  of  the  currency,  with  all  the  accompanying  evils  of  bank  suspen- 
sions, the  fall  in  the  price  of  the  great  staple  of  the  southern  States,  and  the 
paralyzed  condition  of  trade. 

Resolved,  That  the  only  hope  of  relief  from  the  evils  complained  of,  is 
founded  in  the  anticipation  of  a mild,  gradual  and  judicious  reform  in  the 
currency  of  the  State,  by  that  department  of  the  government  to  which  is  en- 
trusted the  guardianship  of  the  great  interests  of  the  community. 

Resolved,  That  we  entertain  the  highest  confidence  in  the  intelligence, 
wisdom  and  patriotism  of  the  legislative  department  for  the  adoption  of  such 
provisions  by  law,  as  will  effect  a wise,  safe,  and  graftal  reform,  in  which  no 
short-sighted  policy  shall  be  permitted,  that  may  do  injustice  to  these  institu- 
tions, or  violence  to  the  existing  relations  of  society. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


23 


Resolved,  That  one  chief  dependence  of  right  should  be,  and.  in  fact,  must 
be,  upon  the  efforts  of  the  agricultural  community,  to  work  out  their  own  de- 
liverance and  independence  by  a united  and  harmonious  concert  of  action 
among  themselves — to  introduce  and  encourage  improved  methods  of  fer- 
tilizing the  soil  by  popular  and  scientific  modes  of  cultivation — by  the  prac- 
tice of  economy,  and  especially  byrthe  production  at  home  of  all  the  articles 
of  domestic  consumption. 

W.  J.  Alston,  Esq.,  proposed  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  ; 
which  were  adopted,  after  free  discussion  : 

Whereas  good  roads  are  indispensable  to  the  agricultural  prosperity  as 
well  as  beneficial  to  the  general  interests  of  any  country,  and  no  labour  be- 
ing more  profitable  in  its  results  than  that  judiciously  bestowed  upon  roads  ; 
and  whereas  the  notoriously  bad  condition  of  many  of  the  most  important 
roads  in  this  State  afford  ample  testimony  of  the  utter  inadequacy  of  the  ex- 
isting laws  on  this  subject,  and  independent  of  their  inefficiency,  their  opera- 
tion is  unequal  and  unjust,  inasmuch  as  they  impose  upon  the  owner  of  male 
slaves,  and  those  residing  nearest  the  chief  market  roads,  the  burthen  of 
keeping  in  repair  the  public  highways — exonerating  all  other  classes — the 
merchants,  the  stock-jobbers,  and  the  speculators  of  every  caste,  from  their 
just  share  of  this  burthen  : 

Be  it  therefore  resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  it  is  the 
duty  of  the  Legislature,  either  to  remedy  the  defects  of  the  present  system, 
or  to  substitute  another  and  a better  in  its  stead. 

Maj.  J.  M.  Felder  moved  the  following  resolutions,  which  he  proposed  to 
lay  on  the  table,  with  the  consent  of  the  Convention  : 

Resolved,  That  as  the  agricultural  interests  generally  become  the  first  vic- 
tims of  fluctuating  disordered  and  corrupt  currency,  the  Legislature  be  res- 
pectfully requested  to  take  such  measures  as  will  restore  and  secure  to  this 
State  a sound  and  stable  currency. 

Resolved,  That  as  one  step  towards  this  desirable  result,  the  Legislature 
be  respectfully  solicited  to  restrain  all  banks  from  issuing  any  bank  bills  of  a 
less  denomination  than  five  dollars. 

Resolved,  That  this  Conven  ion  solemnly  protest  against  borrowing  any 
more  money,  or  issuing  any  more  bonds  or  stocks  on  the  credit  and  faith  of 
the  State;  and  if  any  more  money  must  be  raised  for  the  necessary  purposes 
of  an  economical  government,  that  the  same  be  raised  by  a direct  tax  on  the 
people. 

B.  R.  Carroll, Esq.,  submitted  the  following  resolution  ; which  wros  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  memorialize  the  Le- 
gislature of  this  State,  on  the  different  subjects  recommended  and  acted  upon 
by  this  convention. 


24 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  President  named  the  following  gentlemen  as  the  committee  : 

B.  R.  CARROLL,  ESQ., 

CHAN.  DUNKIN, 

HON.  J.  GREGG. 

Mr.  Davis  proposed  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved , That  copies  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Convention  be  furnished 
by  the  Secretary  to  the  Carolinian  and  Telescope  newspapers  of  this  town 
for  publication  ; and  that  the  principal  papers  of  the  State,  friendly  to  the  in- 
terests of  agriculture,  be  requested  to  copy  them  into  their  columns. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  presented  to  the  Hon. 
Mr.  Elmore  for  the  courtesy  and  impartiality  with  which  he  has  presided  over 
its  deliberations — and  also  to  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  for  his  diligence,  industry, 
and  general  attention  to  the  wants  and  wishes  of  the  Convention. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  returned  to  the  House  of 
Representatives,  for  the  use  of  their  Hall. 

These  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted. 

The  President  having  made  his  acknowledgements  to  the  Convention,  ex- 
pressed the  interest  he  felt  in  the  objects  of  the  Convention,  and  recommend- 
ed an  earnest,  united  and  persevering  attention  to  them. 

On  motion,  the  Convention  then  adjourned. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 

STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

We  the  undersigned  do  hereby  form  ourselves  into  an  association  to  be 
devoted  to  the  improvement  of  the  Agriculture  and  Agricultural  Economy 
of  the  State. 

1.  The  Association  shall  be  styled,  The  State  Agricultural  Society  of 
South  Carolina. 

2.  Its  objects  shall  be  strictly  Agricultural  and  Rural. 

3.  All  persons  subscribing  and  paying  to  the  Treasurer  the  sum  of  five 
dollars,  shall  be  eligible  as  members. 

4.  The  Society  will  receive,  as  members  (at  its  annual  meeting,)  one  del- 
egate from  a District  or  Neighborhood  Society. 

5.  There  shall  be  a President,  five  Vice  Presidents,  a Corresponding 


PROCEEDINGS.  25 

Secretary,  Recording  Society  and  Treasurer,  and  an  Anniversary  Orator, 
who  shall  be  annually  elected  by  the  Society. 

6.  The  Society  shall  meet  annually  in  the  town  of  Columbia,  during  the 
first  week  of  the  session  of  the  Legislature;  at  which  time  there  shall  be  an 
exhibition  and  cattle  show  for  premiums. 

T.  A quorum  of  the  Society  shall  consist  of  not  less  than  twenty  mem- 
bers, including  the  President  or  a Vice  President. 

8.  The  President  shall  preside  at  all  meetings,  and  in  his  absence  a Vice 
President. 

9.  The  President  with  a majority  of  the  Vice  Presidents  shall  have  power 
to  call  special  meetings  of  the  Society,  but  such  meetings  shall  be  announced 
in  one  or  more  of  the  Agricultural  papers  of  the  State,  at  least  thirty  days 
before  the  time  at  which  it  is  to  be  held. 

10.  The  committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President. 

11.  There  shall  be  a committee  on  Cotton,  whose  province  it  shall  be  to 
collect  all  facts  relative  to  the  growing  crop,  the  amount  produced,  the  kind 
most  profitable,  together  with  such  observations  thereto  relating  as  may  be 
useful  to  the  Society,  and  to  award  such  premiums  as  may  be  provided  for 
by  the  Society. 

12.  There  shall  be  similar  committees  on  Rice,  Corn  and  small  grain, 
with  similar  powers  and  duties. 

13.  There  shall  be  a committee  on  stock,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  re- 
port the  best  mode  of  rearing  the  best  variety,  and  to  examine  and  award  at 
the  show  the  premiums  for  the  same. 

14.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  publish,  six  months  before 
the  meeting,  the  kind  and  age  of  the  stock  to  be  shown,  also  of  the  products 
to  be  exhibited,  and  to  specify  in  said  notice  the  respective  premiums. 

15.  The  Society  in  prescribing  premiums  for  stock,  shall  have  reference 
to  improvement  in  the  stock  of  the  country. 

16.  The  President  shall  sign  such  orders  on  the  Treasury  as  a majority 
of  each  committee  shall  have  drawn  in  the  performance  of  the  duties. 

17.  The  Treasurer  shall  collect  all  monies  due  to  the  Society,  pay  orders 
drawn  in  due  form,  and  keep  the  accounts  regularly  stated  in  the  books  of 
the  Society. 

18.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  to  revise  all 
communications  before  they  shall  be  made  public,  by  authority  of  the  Soc- 
iety. 

19.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Recording  Secretary,  to  keep  and  preserve 
the  books  and  papers  of  the  Society,  and  to  prepare  its  proceedings  for  pub- 
lication. 


26 


AGRICULTURAL 


November  29,  1839. 

The  State  Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina  was  organized  by  White- 
field  Brooks,  a Vice  President,  taking  the  chair. 

The  Constitution  was  read  as  recommended  by  the  Agricultural  Conven- 
tion, and  adopted. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  elected  officers  by  nomination  by  the  same 
committee. 

His  Excellency,  P.  NOBLE,  President. 

W.  B.  SEABROOK,  Vice  President. 

Col.  W.  BROOKS, 

Col.  W.  K.  CLOWN EY, 

Col.  J.  CREGG, 

Chanc.  B.  F.  DUNK1N, 

B.  R.  CARROLL,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

R.  W.  GIBBES,  M.  D.  Recording  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
Gen.  GEORGE  M’DUFFIE,  Anniversary  Orator. 

On  motion  of  Simeon  Fair,  Esq.  the  Society  ^adjourned  until  to-morrow 
evening,  to  meet  for  a more  perfect  organization. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


Saturday,  Nov.  30,  1839. 

The  Society  met  at  six  o’clock.  The  President  took  his  seat  and  address- 
ed the  Society  on  the  objects  of  the  association,  in  a short  but  impressive 
speech. 

The  minutes  of  last  meeting  were  read.  The  roll  were  called,  and  it  ap- 
peared that  seventy  gentlemen  had  become  members. 

The  President  informed  the  Society  that  the  meeting  was  prepared  for 
business,  and  open  for  resolutions.  Major  Ellerbe  introduced  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  two  thirds  of  the  members  present  at  the  meeting  fof  the 
Society  shall  be  necessary  to  make  any  alteration  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
Society. 

This  resolution  was  adopted. 

Dr.  Davis  proposed  the  following  resolutions,  which  were  agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  the  Anniversary  be  commemorated  by  a dinner,  and  that 
Stewards  be  appointed  by  the  President  to  superintend  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Dr.  Gibbes  be  requested  and  authorized  to  prepare  a lot 
for  the  exhibition  of  stock,  at  our  next  annual  meeting. 

Major  Ellerbe  moved, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


27 


That  Thursday  after  the  fourth  Monday  in  November  be  the  Annivesary 
and  that  the  dinner  shall  take  place  on  that  day.  Agreed  to- 

J.  A.  Calhoun,  Esq.,  introduced  a preamble  and  resolutions  as  follows  : 

Whereas,  it  is  a matter  of  the  first  moment  to  check  emigration  from  our 
State  as  much  as  possible  ; and  whereas,  the  great  source  from  which  emi- 
gration originates,  is  in  the  comparison  of  our  worn  out  fields  with  the  fertile 
plains  of  the  west — and  whereas,  the  only  means  of  preventing  this  unfavor- 
able comparison  and  deplorable  result,  is  to  improve  our  lands  by  the  most 
speedy  means  practicable  ; 

Therefore  be  it  resolved, 

1.  That  this  Society  do  recommend  to  the  Planters  and  Farmers  of  our 
State  the  adoption  of  the  most  energetic  means  of  improving  our  lands  under 
existing  circumstances,  as  far  as  may  be  compatible  with  their  present  con- 
dition. 

2.  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  President  of  this  So- 
ciety, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  report  to  the  next  annual  meeting  of  this 
Society,  as  to  the  best  means  of  improving  our  lands  under  existing  circum- 
stances. Adopted. 

Col.  Pinckney  proposed  the  following  resolution,  which  was  agreed  to. 

Resolved.  That  all  persons  engaged  in  Planting,  Farming,  Horticulture, 
or  breeding  stock,  are  earnestly  recommended  to  publish  from  time  to  time  in 
the  Agricultural  papers  of  the  State,  the  result  of  their  observation  and  ex- 
perience. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  Allston  moved, 

That  when  this  Society  adjourns,  it  do  so  to  meet  on  the  4th  Monday  in 
November  next,  at  six  o’clock,  P.  M.  Agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Davis,  the  Society  adjourned. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


November  23,  1840. 

The  Society  convened  this  evening  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Represen- 
tative. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis, 

The  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook  took  the  Chair,  and  the  meeting  was  organ- 
ized. The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read. 

The  Secretary  informed  the  meeting,  that,  in  consequence  of  the  lamented 
death  of  the  late  Gov.  Noble,  the  President  of  the  Society,  there  had  been 
no  committees  appointed  ; and  the  organization  of  the  Society  had  therefore 
not  been  completed. 

On  motion, 


28 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  Vice  President  was  requested  to  appoint  the  committees,  and  announce 
them  on  to-morrow  evening. 

Chancellor  Dunkin  introduced  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  ; which 
were  unanimously  adopted : 

Whereas,  since  the  last  meeting  of  this  society,  it  has  pleased  Almighty 
God  to  remove  from  this  transitory  scene  his  Excellency  Patrick  Noble,  the 
President  of  this  Society,  an  individual  eminently  distinguished,  as  well  for 
his  private  virtues,  as  his  public  services. 

Be  it  resolved,  That  this  society  deplore  an  event  which  has  deprived 
them  of  the  active,  zealous  and  devoted  co-operation  of  their  lamented  pre- 
siding officer. 

Resolved,  That  in  testimony  of  the  high  respect  entertained  by  this  So- 
ciety  for  the  character  of  their  late  President,  and  their  regret  for  his  de- 
cease, the  society  will  wear  crape  on  the  left  arm  for  thirty  days. 

Dr.  Thos.  W.  Moore,  a delegate  from  the  Fishing  Creek  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, and  Geo.  Leitner,  Esq.,  from  the  Monticello  Planter’s  Society,  ap- 
peared, and  took  their  seats. 

B.  R.  Carroll,  Esq.,  submitted  the  following  resolutions,  and  proposed 
them  for  consideration  on  to-morrow  evening  : 

Resolved,  That  to  attain  the  great  ends  for  which  this  society  was  created, 
the  establishment  of  an  Agricultural  Society  in  every  parish  and  district  of 
the  State,  is  highly  expedient  and  necessary. 

Resolved,  That  it  shall  be  the  special  duty  of  the  members,  at  as  early  a 
period  as  possible,  to  convene  the  planters  of  their  neighborhood,  or  to  em- 
brace the  first  opportunity  of  a public  meeting  of  the  people,  in  order  that 
that  the  private  and  general  advantages  of  local  associations  for  promoting 
the  interests  of  husbandry  may  be  fully  discussed  and  thoroughly  understood, 
and  the  foregoing  resolution  thereby  carried  into  effect.  The  districts  and 
parishes  unrepresented  in  this  society,  shall  be  invited  by  the  President  in  any 
form  he  might  deem  proper,  to  unite  in  furthering  the  object  in  view. 

Resolved,  That  the  Legislature  be  respectfully  invited  to  employ  a compe- 
tent  person  to  effect  an  agricultural  survey  of  the  State,  in  the  manner  that 
task  has  recently  been  performed  in  Massachusetts,  and  that  a committee  be 
appointed  to  memorialize  that  body  on  the  subject. 

The  Chair  nominated  the  following  committee  : — Dr.  Gibbes,  Gen.  Means, 
B.  F.  Taylor. 

Resolved,  That  the  district  and  parish  societies  be  invited  to  present  to 
this  society,  at  its  next  annual  meeting,  an  essay  or  memoir  on  the  subjects 
to  which  their  notice  may  respectively  be  drawn  by  the  President,  whose  bu- 
siness it  shall  be  to  designate  the  topics  on  which  information  is  desired. 
Adopted. 


PROCEEDINGS, 


29 


Col.  J.  H.  Hammond  informed  the  meeting  that  he  had  received  a letter 
from  Gen.  McDuffie,  expressing  his  deep  regret  that  his  health  did  not  allow 
of  his  delivering  the  Anniversary  Oration  of  the  Society ; but  that  he  had 
forwarded  the  manuscript,  which  he  now  placed  in  possession  of  the  Society. 

On  motion, 

Ordered  that  its  disposal  be  considered  on  to-morrow  evening. 

There  being  no  further  business,  the  Society  adjourned,  to  meet  on  to» 
morrow  evening,  at  six  o’clock. 

R.  W.  GIBBE8,  Secretaiy. 


November  24,  1840. 

The  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Society  was  held  this  evening.  The  min? 
utes  were  read.  The  President  named  the  following  committees: 

ON  HORSES. 

Col.  W.  Hampton,  J.  H.  Adams,  P.  M.  Butler,  J.  G.  Guignard,  Th.  Stark. 

ON  MULES. 

B.  F.  Davis,  E.  G.  Palmer,  D.  Elkins,  Geo.  Leitner,  D.  D.  Fenley. 

ON  CATTLE. 

B.  F.  Taylor,  J.  B.  Davis,  R.  F.  W.  Alston,  W.  Washington,  W.  T, 
Ellerbe. 

ON  HOGS. 

Ed,  Means,  D.  W.  S.  Reynolds,  J.  J.  Myers,  A.  Young,  R.  W.  Gibbes, 
W.  J.  Alston. 

ON  SHEEP. 

J.  C.  Singleton,  E.  T.  Heriot,  Dr.  Thos.  Smith,  Jas.  Wright,  B.  R.  Carroll. 

ON  COTTON. 

Gen.  George  McDuffie,  J.  H,  Hammond,  W.  J.  Taylor,  W.  R.  Davis, 
Ch.  R.  Carroll,  W.  M.  Murray. 

ON  CORN. 

Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  Jr.,  B.  T.  Elmore,  C.  Bookter,  W.  F.  Percival,  B. 
B.  Cook. 

ON  WHEAT. 

J.  H.  Means,  W.  J.  Alston,  Jacob  Feaster,  W.  K.  Clowney,  J.  Douglas. 

ON  OATS. 

Dr.  A.  B.  Arnold,  James  Gillespie,  JohnN.  Williams,  John  McQueen. 


30 


AGRICULTURAL 


ON  RICE. 

Daniel  E.  Huger,  Chan.  Dunkin,  R.  F.  W.  Alston,  E.  T.  Heriot.  J.  B. 
Grimball. 

E.  G.  Palmer,  Esq.,  moved  the  following  resolution ; which  was  adopted  ; 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  nine  be  appointed,  to  ascertain  the  amount 
of  the  Cotton  crop  of  1840,  and  that  they  report  the  same  to  the  Society  at 
its  present  meeting. 

The  Chairman  named  the  following  gentlemen  : E.  G.  Palmer,  J.  II.  Ham- 
mond, W.  J.  Alston,  5,  M.  Felder,  R.  J.  Gage,  John  Jenkins,  C.  R.  Carroll, 
J.  McQueen,  Dr.  J.  Douglass. 

Mr.  Carroll’s  resolutions  were  then  considered,  and  adopted- 

Col.  J.  PI.  Hammond  moved  that  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to 
request  a suitable  person  to  deliver  Gen.  McDuffie’s  Anniversary  Oration  on 
Thursday  evening,  at  seven  o’clock.  Agreed  to. 

Committee,  J.  H.  Hammond,  J.  B.  Davis,  R.  W.  Gibbes. 

There  being  no  further  business  before  the  Society,  they  then  adjourned. 

R.  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


November  27,  1840. 

The  Society  convened  this  evening  at  six  o’clock.  The  minutes  of  the 
last  meeting  were  read. 

The  committees  on  premiums  were  called  on  for  their  reports,  when  the 
following  were  made  : 

The  committee  on  Horses,  report  that  they  award  the  premium  for  “the 
besi  mare,”  to  Col.  Hampton’s  bay  mare,  “ Bay  Maria,”  by  old  Eclipse. 

For  the  second  best  mare,  to  Col.  Hampton’s  mported  bay  mare  “ Emily,” 
by  Emilius. 

For  the  best  yearling  Colt,  to  Col.  Hampton’s  c.  c.  Herald,  out  of  Del. 
phine,  by  Plenipo. 

P.  M.  BUTLER,  Acting  Chairman 

The  committee  on  Cattle,  to  whom  was  referred  the  examination  of  stock, 
and  distribution  of  premiums,  respectfully  report, 

That  they  have  considered  the  characters  and  respective  merits  of  all, 
which  were  submitted  for  exhibition  as  follows  : 

Two  Durham  Cows  and  a half  bred  Heifer,  bred  by  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.; 
an  imported  Devon  Cow  and  three  Durham  Cows,  bred  by  Col.  W.  Hampton  ; 
an  imported  Durham  Bull  and  an  Ayshire  Heifer,  owned  by  Col.  Hampton  ; 
a grade  Devon  Cow  and  Heifer,  bred  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis;  a Durham  Cow, 
bred  by  Col.  Hampton  ; and  af  Durham  and  % Teeswater  Cow  from  I\en- 


PROCEEDINGS, 


31 


tucky,  owned  by  Dr.  R-  W.  Gibbes ; and  yearling  Tuscan  Bull,  (bred  by 
Dr.  Gibbes,)  owned  by  C.  McCullock,  Esq.;  a yearling  £ Tuscan  J Durham 
Bull,  bred  and  owned  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes  ; two  Cows,  a two  year  old  Heifer 
and  Calf,  owned  by  Mr.  Alexander  Brown  ; a Cow  and  Heifer  owned  by  Mr, 
Gladden  ; a part  Devon  Bull,  9 months  old,  bred  and  owned  by  Dr.  Toland  ; 
a part  Devon  Heifer  Calf,  bred  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  and  owned  by  Mr.  R. 
Waddell ; An  Ayrshire  Heifer  calf,  4 months  old,  bred,  by  J.  C.  Singleton, 
Esq. 

The  following  are  the  awards  of  the  committee  : 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton  for  the  finest  thorough  bred  Bull, 

Mo  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  for  the  best  thorough  bred  Cow,  (Durham.) 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  the  second  best  Cow,  (Durham.) 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton  for  the  best  heifer,  (imported  Ayrshire,)  under  three 
years  old. 

To  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  for  the  best  Heifer,  (Durham  and  Devon,)  under  two 
years  old. 

To  C.  McCulloch,  for  the  best  Yearling  Bull,  (Tuscan.) 

To  Dr.  H.  H.  Toland,  for  the  best  Bull  Calf,  (Durham  and  Devon,)  under 
8 months  old. 

To  R.  Waddell,  for  the  best  Heifer  Calf,  under  9 months  old" 

B.  F.  TAYLOR,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Hogs,  to  whom  were  referred  the  distribution  of  the 
premiums  to  the  best  specimens,  report, 

That  they  scrutinized  the  merits  of  the  following  specimens  : A Woburn 

Boar,  15  months  old,  bred  and  owned  by  Wra.  E.  Haskell,  Esq.;  a Berkshire 
Boar,  (imported  from  Bement  of  Albany,)  owned  by  J.  C.  Singleton,  Esq.; 
a Berkshire  Boat,  (of  Bement’s  stock,)  owned  by  B F.  Taylor,  Esq.;  two 
Berkshire  Sows,  (of  Bement’s  stock,)  owned  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes:  a pair 
of  Berkshire  pigs,  (bred  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,)  and  owned  by  E.  Means,  Esq.; 
a pair  of  Berkshire  pigs,  (of  Lossing’s  and  Judge  Spencer’s  stock,)  owned 
by  Dr.  Gibbes;  a Chinese  Sow,  bred  and  owned  by  A.  Brown,  Esq.;  a Chi- 
nese  pig,  bred  and  owned  by  A.  Brown,  Esq  ; a Chinese  Sow,  bred  and  own- 
ed by  R.  E.  Russell,  Esq. 

They  awarded  the  following  premiums  : 

To  W.  E.  Haskell,  Esq.,  for  the  best  Boar. 

To  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  for  the  best  Sow. 

To  E.  Means,  Esq.,  for  the  best  pair  of  Pigs. 

The  committee,  in  considering  the  merits  of  the  respective  kinds  of  stock, 
were  influenced  in  their  decision  by  the  breed  which  they  thought  best  adapted 
for  the  improvement  of  the  stock  of  the  country. 

E.  MEANS,  Chairman, 


82 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  committee  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  on  Sheep,  report  that 
they  have  awarded, 

To  Col.  Hampton,  the  premium  for  the  best  Ram. 

To  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  the  premium  for  the  second  best  Ram. 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton,  the  premium  for  the  best  Ewe. 

No  pair  of  Lambs  having  been  exhibited,  the  committee  award  no  premium. 

The  committee  noticed,  with  interest,  a broad  tail  Ram,  exhibited  by  J. 
C.  Singleton,  Esq.,  more  particularly  from  the  fact  that  the  second  best  Ram 
was  a cross  of  that  breed  with  the  Merino,  and  would  seem  to  hold  out  strong 
expectations  of  improvement  from  the  cross  of  that  stock  with  others. 

ED.  THOS.  HERIOT,  For  the  Committee. 

The  Committee  on  Mules,  unanimously  award  the  premium  to  John  S. 
Chappell,  for  the  best  Mule,  two  years  old,  by  the  imported  Jack,  Knight  of 
Malta. 

E.  G.  PALMER,  Chairman. 

On  motion,  these  reports  were  adopted. 

E.  G.  Palmer,  Esq.,  made  the  following  report  on  the  Cotton  crop  of  1540; 
which  was  ordered  to  be  published  with  the  proceedings  : 

The  committee  appointed  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  the  Cotton  crop  of 
the  State  of  South  Carolina,  for  the  year  1840,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they 
have  given  to  the  subject  the  closest  investigation,  and  that,  from  the  number 
of  persons  from  every  portion  of  the  State  now  assembled  at  this  place,  they 
have  enjoyed  peculiar  advantages  in  arriving  at  the  most  accurate  informa, 
tion.  Your  committee  have  been  struck  with  the  coincidence  of  the  view's 
of  those  of  whom  they  have  enquired  as  to  the  failure  of  the  present  crop  ; 
and  believe  that  if  they  were  disposed  to  arrive  at  the  most  accurate  conclu- 
sions  on  the  subject,  that  they  would  estimate  the  failure  of  the  uplands  crop 
of  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  for  1840,  at  f-  of  the  crop  of  1839,  which 
amounted  to  301,569  bales,  and  which  would  make  the  present  crop  183,430 
bales.  But  believing  that  the  safer  course  would  be  to  under,  rather  than 
over-estimate  the  failure,  with  a view  to  give  greater  confidence  in  the  future 
reports  of  this  Society,  they  have  concluded  to  fix  the  present  crop  at  about 
200,000  bales.  Your  committee  regret  that  they  have  not  been  able  to  pro- 
cure as  ample  information  in  relation  to  the  Santee  and  Sea  Island  Cottons,  as 
they  could  desire,  but  believe  that  the  failure  will  be  very  nearly  one  half  of 
the  crop  of  1839. 

EDWARD  G.  PALMER,  Chairman. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  by  Dr.  Gibbes, 

Resolved,  That  the  premiums  of  the  Society  are  open  for  the  competition 
of  citizens  of  the  State,  who  are  not  members  of  the  Society. 


PROCEEDINGS.  33 

After  some  discussion,  Col.  Allston  moved  that  the  following  words  be 
added  to  the  resolution  : 

“ By  their  paying  an  entrance  fee  of  one  year’s  subscription  to  the  Socie- 
ty which  was  agreed  to,  and  thefresolution  adopted,  as  amended. 

The  hour  of  seven  having  arrived,  Col.  B.  T.  Watts,  delivered  the  Anni- 
versary Oration  of  Gen.  McDuffie  before  the  Society. 

On  motion  of  Col.  Allston, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  communicated  to  Gen.  Mc- 
Duffie, for  his  able  and  interesting  address. 

Resolved , That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  have  the  address  printed  in 
pamphlet  form. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  tendered  to  Col.  Watts,  for 
his  compliance  with  the  wishes  of  the  Society,  and  the  impressive  manner  in 
which  he  read  the  Anniversary  Oration  of  Gen.  McDuffie. 

On  motion, 

Resolved,  That  three  Stewards  be  appointed  to  prepare  a dinner  or  barbe- 
cue for  the  Society,  at  its  next  meeting. 

The  Society  then  proceeded  to  the  election  of  officers,  when  the  following 
was  the  result : 

HON.  W.  B.  SEABROOK,  President. 

Col.  W.  BROOKS,  q 

Col.  W-  K.  CLOWNEY, 

Col.  J.  GR.EGG,  f Vice  Presidents. 

Chan.  B.  F.  DUNKIN,  | 

Gen.  J.  GILLESPIE,  J 

B.  R.  CARROLL,  Esq.,  Corresponding  Secretary, 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES,  Recording  Secretary. 

Col.  J.  H.  HAMMOND,  Anniversary  Orator. 

The  Society  then  adjourned. 

ROBT.  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


November  22,  1841. 

The  Society  met  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  the  meet- 
Jfig  was  organized,  and  the  minutes  of  the  preceding  meeting  were  read. 

The  President  informed  the  members  that  he  had  discharged  the  several 
duties  committed  to  him  at  the  last  meeting;  that  he  had  received  contribu- 
tions of  Essays  from  several  Societies  and  individuals,  and  submitted 
An  Essay  on  Sea  Island  Cotton  by  himself, 

An  Essay  on  the  religious  instruction  of  slaves,  by  Rev’d  R.  Fuller, 

A ReporL  of  the  Pendleton  Agricultural  Society,  on  manures, 

3 


34 


AGRICULTURAL 


A Report  of  the  Pendleton  Agricultural  Society,  on  Forage; 

A report  of  the  Newberry  Agricultural  Society,  on  Agricultural  Econom3% 

Of  these  the  two  latter  were  read,  and,  on  motion  of  Dr.  J.  J.  Myers,  it 
was 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  examine  the  reports 
and  essays  submitted  to  this  Society,  from  District  Societies,  and  from  indi- 
viduals ; and  that  they  be  directed  to  publish  such  of  them  as  they  think 
proper. 

The  following  was  the  committee  named  : 

Dr.  J.  J.  MYERS, 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES, 

Dr.  I.  FICKLING. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Davis, 

Resolved , That  a committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  the  President  to  re- 
organize the  several  committees,  for  the  purpose  of  awarding  the  premiums, 
and  report  the  same  for  confirmation  on  to-morrow  night. 

The  committee  consisted  of, 

Dr.  J.  B.  DAVIS, 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  ALLSTON, 

Maj.  W.  T.  ELLERBE, 

SIMEON  FAIR, 

W.  M.  MURRAY. 

The  Society  then  adjourned. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


November  23,  1841. 

The  Society  convened  and  was  organized,  the  roll  was  called,  and  minutes 
of  last  meeting  read. 

The  President  having  called  for  reports  of  committees,  that,  to  which  were 
submitted  the  essays  and  communications  of  other  Societies,  reported  that 
they  recommended  the  essay  on  Sea  Island  Cotton  be  read  before  the  Society, 
and  published  in  the  Southern  Agriculturist — and  that  the  other  communica- 
tions be  published  in  the  Temperance  Advocate.  The  President  then  read 
that  essay. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  from  the  Committee  on  re-organization,  reported  the 
following  as  committees  for  making  the  awards  for  stock,  as  follows  : 

ON  HORSES. 

Col.  IV.  Hampton,  R.  H.  Goodwyn,  J.  Wright,  Dr.  T,  Stark,  S.  Fair, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


35 


ON  CATTLE. 

8.  P.  Taylor,  W.  R.  Davis,  John  C.  Singleton,  A.  H.  Boykin,  J.  Gillespie. 

ON  MULES. 

E.  G.  Palmer,  J.  G.  Guignard,  J.  M.  Felder,  J.  J.  Myers,  J.  H.  Means. 

ON  SHEEP. 

Jas.  M.  Taylor,  E.  T.  Heriot,  W,  Washington,  W.  M.  Murray,  W.  El- 
lerbe. 

ON  HOGS. 

J.  W.  Parker,  R.  W.  Gibbes,  W.  E.  Haskell,!.  H.  Hammond,  E.  Means. 

On  motion,  these  committees  were  adopted. 

Major  Murray  introduced  the  following  resolution ; which  was  unanimous- 
ly agreed  to. 

Resolved , That  the  President  be  requested  to  continue  his  exertions  in  pro- 
curing the  formation  of  local  societies,  and  inducing  them  and  individuals 
capable  of  communicating  information  to  present  to  this  Society,  at  its  annual 
meetings,  essays  adapted  to  localities. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  it  was 

Resolved , That  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  by  the  President,  to 
pelition  the  Legislature  for  a donation  to  the  Society  of  $500  per  annum, 
for  three  years. 

Dr.  DAVIS, 

Judge  HARPER, 

W.  BROOKS,  Esq. 

Dr.  Myers  proposed, 

That  a committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  nominate  officers  of  the  Society 
for  the  ensuing  year,  to  report  to-morrow  evening  ; which  was  adopted. 

Dr.  MYERS, 

R,  F.  W.  ALLSTON, 

W.  ELLERBE, 

J.  H.  HAMMOND, 

Dr.  FICKLING. 

The  Society  then  adjourned,  to  meet  on  to-morrow  evening  at  half  past 
six  o’clock. 


R.  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


36 


AGRICULTURAL 


November  24,  1S41. 

The  Society  met  at  the  hour  appointed,  and  the  minutes  of  the  last  meet- 
ing were  read. 

The  President  read  the  following  communication,  from  Col.  Wade  Hamp- 
ton ; which  was  ordered  to  be  entered  on  the  minutes : 

Columbia,  Nov.  24,  1841. 

Dear  Sir, 

The  meeting  oi  the  State  Agricultural  Society  affording  a favorable 
opportunity  for  its  distribution,  I beg  leave  to  place  at  your  disposal,  for  that 
purpose,  about  tw'o  bushels  of  Musquite  Grass  Seed.  This  grass  is  a native 
of  Texas,  and  as  far  as  1 am  capable  of  forming  an  opinion,  by  an  experi- 
ment  of  a single  year,  is  admirably  adapted  to  our  country.  It  has,  I under- 
stand,  been  successfully  cultivated  by  Mr.  Carter,  of  Alabama,  for  some  years 
past ; and  the  high  estimate  he  placed  on  it,  induced  him  very  kindly  to  send 
me  a few  quarts  of  seed,  in  the  summer  of  1840.  These  seed  were  planted 
in  September  following  in  drills,  came  up  with  great  regularity,  and  continued 
to  vegetate  during  the  whole  winter.  A drought  of  unusual  duration  in  the 
spring,  and  another  in  July,  accompanied  by  intense  heat,  produced  no  visi- 
ble effect  on  it ; and  it  has  continued  to  flourish  through  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  a most  disastrous  season.  The  seed  were  sown  on  dry  alluvial  soil,  which 
had  been  prepared  for  turnips ; and  from  a piece  of  ground  not  exceeding 
the  fourth  of  an  acre,  I gathered  fourteen  bushels  of  seed.  It  will,  I think, 
make  fine  hay,  growing  from  two  and  a half  to  three  feet  high  ; and,  in  its 
native  prairies,  it  forms  the  favorite  pasture  of  the  wild  Horse  and  Buffalo. 

Appreciating  as  I do,  your  untiring  exertions  in  the  great  cause  of  agricul- 
ture, 1 offer  no  apology  for  the  trouble  I impose  on  you,  in  distributing  the 
seed  that  accompanies  this  letter. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  HAMPTON. 

The  President  called  for  reports  from  the  several  committees,  when  the 
following  were  presented  and  adopted  : 

The  Committee  on  Horses,  reported  that  they  had  viewed  the  animals  ex- 
hibited at  the  cattle  show,  and  award  the  following  premiums : 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  his  horse  Sovereign,  as  the  best  Stallion  for  ag- 
ricultural purposes,  the  Silver  Cup  $20. 

To  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  his  bay  mare  Bay  Maria,  as  the  best  mare  for 
agricultural  purposes,  the  Silver  Cup  $20. 

To  Col.  Hampton,  for  his  mare.  Emily,  as  the  second  best  mare  for  rg.-.cm- 
tural  purposes,  the  Silver  Cup  $15, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


87 


To  Col.  Hampton,  for  his  br.  colt,  by  Monarch  out  of  Maria  West,  the 
Silver  Cup  $10. 

ToB.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  for  his  ch.  filly,  by  Monarch,  out  of  Betsy  Robins, 
the  silver  cup  $10. 

JAMES  FERGUSON,  ) 

A.  R.  TAYLOR,  > Committee. 

THOS.  T.  STARK,  ) 

The  Committee  on  Cattle  reported, 

That  they  have  discharged  the  duty  assigned  to  them  in  awarding  the  pre- 
miums. 

They  cannot  permit  the  present  occasion  to  pass  by,  without  expresing  the 
gratification  and  pleasure  they  experienced  in  examining  the  very  many  fine 
cattle  exhibited.  In  some  cases,  they  found  great  difficulty  in  deciding  be- 
tween rival  competitors. 

There  were  exhibited  Durhams,  Devons  and  Ayrshires,  imported  and 
home-bred — with  such  a variety  of  the  most  approved  stocks  annually  exhib- 
ited at  the  Capitol  of  South  Carolina,  our  planters  and  farmers  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  improving  the  native  stock  of  the  country  to  any  extent,  and  the 
great  advantage  they  have  over  the  original  importers,  is,  that  they  can  get 
cattle  acclimated,  and  avoid  any  risk  from  a change  of  climate. 

At  the  present  exhibition,  the  committee  do  not  hesitate  to  affirm,  there 
were  many  which  would  have  stood  an  equal  chance  for  premiums  at  any  cat- 
tle show  in  the  United  States.  They  cannot  recommend  too  strongly  the 
patronage  of  the  Society,  in  continuing  and  extending  premiums,  for  the  ex- 
hibition of  stock,  at  their  annual  meetings. 

They  award  the  premiums  as  follows,  viz  : 

For  the  best  Bull,  Col.  VY.  Hampton’s  Durham  Bull,  Skinner,  the  Silver 
Cup  $20. 

For  the  second  best  Bull,  to  Dr.  T.  T.  Stark,  for  his  Durham  Bull,  Hector, 
the  silver  cup  $15. 

For  the  best  two  year  old  Bull,  to  Capt.  R.  Ward,  for  his  Durham  Bull. 

For  the  best  yearling  Bull,  to  Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  for  his  Durham  Bull, 
the  silver  cup  $10. 

For  the  best  Cow,  to  Dr.  James  B.  Davis,  for  his  imported  Durham  Cow, 
the  silver  cup  $15. 

For  the  second  best  Cow,  to  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  his  Durham  Cow,  bred 
by  himself,  the  silver  cup  $12. 

For  the  best  Heifer  under  3 years  old,  to  Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  for  his  Durham 
Heifer,  out  of  an  imported  Cow,  got  in  England,  the  silver  cup  $15. 

For  the  second  best  Heifer  under  3 years  old,  to  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for 
his  Durham  Heifer,  bred  by  himself,  the  silver  cup  $10. 


38 


AGRICULTURAL 


For  the  best  yearling  Heifer,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  his  Durham  Heifer, 
bred  by  himself,  the  silver  cup  $10. 

For  the  best  Bull  Calf,  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  the  silver  cup  810. 

For  the  best  Heifer  Calf,  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  the  silver  cup  810. 

B.  F.  TAYLOR,  Chairman. 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  distribution  of  premiums  for  the 
exhibition  of  sheep,  report 

The  premium  to  Col.  Hampton  for  the  best  Ram,  Bakewell. 

The  premium  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  for  the  second  best  Ram,  a cross  of 
Merino  and  Tunisian. 

The  premium  to  Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  the  best  Ewe,  Bakewell. 

The  premium  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  Esq.,  for  the  best  pair  of  Lambs,  cross  of 
Merino  and  Tunisian. 

JAMES  M.  TAYLOR,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Mules,  beg  leave  to  report, 

That  they  examined  carefully  all  the  mules  exhibited  ; and  have  awarded 
the  premium  for  the  best  two  year  old  mules,  to  Dr.  Thus.  T.  Stark,  of  Rich- 
land ; and  the  premium  for  the  best  three  year  old  mule,  to  Dr.  James  B. 
Davis,  of  Fairfield. 

Maj.  Felder,  of  Orangeburgh,  exhibited  some  very  fine  Mule  colts;  but, 
according  to  the  arrangement  of  the  premium  list  of  the  Society,  they  could 
not  compete  for  premiums. 

JOHN  J.  MYERS,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Flogs,  respectfully  report, 

That  they  considered  the  merits  of  ail  submitted  to  their  inspection,  and 
award  the  premiums. 

For  the  best  Boar,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  hisBerksire  Boar. 

For  the  second  best  Boar,  to  Dr.  J.  W.  Parker,  for  his  Berkshire  Boar. 

For  the  best  Sow,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  his  Berkshire  Sow. 

For  the  second  best  sow,  to  Dr.  T.  T.  Stark,  for  a Woburn  Sow. 

For  the  best  Pigs  under  a year  old,  to  Col.  Hampton’s  Berkshires. 

For  the  best  Pigs  under  6 months  old,  to  Dr.  Parker’s  Pigs,  Berkshire  and 
No  Bone. 


J.  W.  PARKER,  Chairman. 


PROCEEDINGS.  39 

The  committee  appointed  to  nominate  Officers  for  the  Society  for  the  en- 
suing year,  beg  leave  to  report  the  following : 

Hon.  W.  B.  SEABROOK,  President 

W.  BROOKS,  Esq.  'i 

Chan.  HARPER,  | 

Chan.  DUNKIN,  } Vice  Presidents. 

Maj.  J.  M.  FELDER, 

Gen.  J.  GILLESPIE,  J 

A.  HAMILTON  BOYKIN,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  J.  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’NEALL,  Anniversary  Orator. 

The  Chairman  also  would  state,  that  Dr.  R.  YV.  Gibbes,  the  present  Sec. 
retary,  desires  to  withdraw  from  that  office. 

J.  J.  MYERS,  Chairman. 

The  question  being  put  on  the  adoption  of  this  report,  it  was  unanimously 
agreed  to. 

The  President,  in  an  eloquent  and  feeling  manner,  acknowledged  his  re-elec- 
tion to  the  Presidency. 

W.  Brooks,  Esq.,  suggested  to  the  President  the  propriety  in  appointing 
the  committee  on  Cotton,  to  arrange  it  so  as  to  have  two  sub-committees, 
to  report  on  Long  Staple  and  on  Short  Staple  Cottons. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Davis,  the  following  resolution  was  referred  to  a com- 
mittee of  three — Dr.  Davis,  B.  F.  Taylor  and  S.  Fair: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Society,  no  stock  which  has  been  ex- 
hibited,  and  obtained  premiums  at  the  present  anniversary  meeting,  shall 
compete  for  premiums  hereafter. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Myers,  the  following  resolution  was  referred  to  the  same 
committee : 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  Mules,  shall,  hereafter,  award  two  pre-. 
miums  to  mules;  the  first,  to  the  best  mule;  and  the  second,  to  the  second 
best  mule  ; and  that  mules  of  any  age  be  exhibited  for  premiums. 

On  motion  of  E.  G.  Palmer,  Esq., 

Resolved,  That  this  Society  recommends  to  its  members,  and  the  members 
of  the  District  Societies,  to  patronize  the  Temperance  Advocate,  the  South, 
ern  Agriculturist,  the  Plough  Boy  and  the  Farmer’s  Gazette,  by  subscribing 
to  them. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Davis,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  be  so  amended,  that  instead  of  one  dele- 
gate  from  each  District  Society,  jive  be  received. 

Dr.  J.  W.  Parker  offered  the  following  resolution  ; which  was  adopted : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be  returned  to  Mr.  R.  E.  Russe] 


40 


AGRICULTURAL 


for  his  exhibition  of  flowers,  and  that  he  deserves  the  commendation  of  the 
Society,  for  his  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  repository. 

The  Society  then  adjourned  until  to-morrow  evening  at  half  past  six  o’clock. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBES,  Secretary. 


November  25,  1341. 

The  Society  met  at  the  appointed  hour,  the  minutes  of  the  preceding  meet- 
ing were  read,  and  the  Secretary,  Robert  W.  Gibbes,  turned  over  his  books 
to  the  newly  elected  Secretary,  J.  B.  Davis. 

The  President  announced  the  following  committees,  under  the  Constitution  : 

ON  COTTON. 

Gen.  Geerge  McDuffie,  Abbeville;  Win.  S.  Lyies,  Fairfield ; Wm.  K. 
Clowney,  Union;  Simeon  Fair,  Newberry;  J.  Douglas,  Chester;  A.  H. 
Boykin,  Kershaw ; Dr.  J.  Fickling,  St.  Lukes;  Wm.  M.  Murray,  St.  Johns 
Colleton  ; W m.  Washington,  St.  Pauls. 

ON  CORN. 

Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  Sr.,  Fairfield;  Col.  Whitfield  Brooks,  Edgefield; 
L.  Boozer,  Lexington ; W.  R.  Poole,  Spartanburg ; J.  M.  Felder,  Orange- 
burgh  ; B.  F.  Taylor  Richland  ; C.  R.  Carroll,  Barnwell. 

ON  RICE. 

R.  E.  W.  Allston,  All  Saints ; Daniel  E.  Huger,  St.  Philip  and  St.  Mi- 
chaels; F.  Quash,  St.  Thomas  and  St.  Dennis;  J.  B.  Grimball,  St.  Pauls; 
T.  Ferguson,  St  Johns  Berkley;  B.  F.  Dunkin,  All  Saints. 

ON  SMALL  GRAIN. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  Newberry ; Col.  R.  J.  Gage,  Union;  Col.  J.  A.  Al- 
ston, York;  J.  A.  Calhoun,  Anderson;  Gen’l  J.  Gillespie,  Marlborough; 
■Col.  B.F.  Perry,  Greenville  ; William  J.  Ellerbe,  Marlborough. 

The  following  report  was  then  read: 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  two  motions  of  the  last  meeting, 
^relative  to  stock,  report  that  they  have  duly  considered  the  same ; and  re- 
< commend  that  no  animal  of  mature  age,  that  has  taken  a premium  at  this 
Society, -shall  a second  time  be  presented  for  exhibition  and  award ; and,  in 
reference  to  the  latter  motion,  that  an  additional  premium  be  offered,  here- 
after, for.'Mules  under  two  years  old. 


JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Chairman. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


41 


On  motion  of  Col.  Brooks,  it  was  now  decided  by  the  Society,  what  should 
be  regarded  as  mature  age,  viz  : 

For  Hogs,  2 years  of  age. 

Cattle,  4 years  of  age. 

Horses  5 years  of  age. 

Sheep  3 years  of  age. 

And,  with  this  amendment,  the  report  was  agreed  upon. 

The  hour  appointed  for  the  delivery  of  the  Anniversary  Oration  having 
arrived,  the  President’s  seat  was  now  given  to  Gen.  James  PI.  Hammond, 
who  delivered  his  address,  very  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Society  and 
audience. 

On  motion  of  B.  R.  Carroll, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  given  to  Gen’l  James  H. 
Hammond,  for  his  very  able  and  instructive  address  before  this  Society,  and 
that  a committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  wait  upon  him  and  request  a copy 
for  publication. 

The  following  committee  were  appointed: — B.  R.  Carroll,  Ur.  Myers  and 
Mr.  Murray. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  were  then  presented  by  Mr.  Davis  : 

Whereas,  American  Cotton-growcrs  have  been  remiss  in  using  means  to 
obviate  the  effects  of  high  duties  upon  Hemp  Bagging  and  other  articles, 
prejudicially  affecting  the  cotton-grower;  and  believing  it  not  only  in  our 
power,  but  our  duty  to  ourselves  and  our  country,  to  counteract  such  innova, 
tions  by  a just  and  laudible  policy: 

Therefore  resolved,  That  from  comparative  cheapness,  it  is  practicable, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  American  Manufactures,  as  well  as  most 
materially  increasing  the  consumption  of  cotton  itself,  it  is  desirable  to  sub- 
stitute,  and  we  recommend  to  all  growers,  to  substitute  cotton  for  baling  in- 
stead of  Hemp,  and  PIoop  Iron  or  Cotton  roping,  instead  of  Hemp  roping. 

Resolved,  That  we  further  recommend  the  use  of  cotton  for  shirting,  and 
for  any  other  apparel,  for  which  it  is  equally  suitable,  as  well  as  any  other 
use  in  domestic  or  national  economy. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  strenuously  encourage  all  manufacturing  estab- 
lishments in  America,  which  will  co-operate  with  us  in  carrying  out  this 
policy. 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  this  Society,  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  directed,  to  remit  printed  copies  of  the  above  resolutions  to  the  asent 
of  each  and  every  Cotton  Manufactory  in  the  United  States,  as  well  as  the 
President  of  each  and  every  Agricultural  Society  in  the  cotton  growing  re- 
gions. 


42 


AGRICULTURAL 


These  resolutions  were,  at  some  length  sustained  by  the  mover,  and  car- 
ried. 

On  motion  the  Society  then  adjourned  sine  die. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


November  28,  1842. 

The  delegates  having  enrolled  themselves,  the  proceedings  of  the  previous 
year  were  read,  and  the  usual  routine  commenced. 

It  being  in  order,  reports  and  communications  were  called  for,  by  the  Pre- 
sident,  when  a memoir  from  the  Black  Oak  Agricultural  Society,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  Santee  long  cotton,  nature  of  soils,  manures,  &c.,  was  presented,  and, 
on  motion  of  Major  Felder,  was  read  by  the  Clerk,  and  laid  on  the  table  till 
Tuesday  evening.  Through  the  President,  a census  of  the  United  States 
was  presented  to  the  Society  by  the  Hon.  John  C.  Calhoun;  which,  on  mo- 
tion of  Major  Felder,  was  deposited  in  the  Legislative  Library. 

The  Corresponding  Secretary,  A.  H.  Boykin,  presented  a communica- 
tion,  viz  : 

Office  of  American  and  Foreign  Agency,  ? 

New  York,  December  7th,  1841.  $ 

Secretary  of  the  Agricultural  Society,  of  S.  C. 

Sir, 

I beg  to  acquaint  you  that  I have  been  appointed  corresponding 
member  of  the  “ Rec.  Socieda  Economica  De  Filijrtnas,’  established  at  Mani- 
la, to  foster  and  promote  the  Agricultural  manufactures  and  industry  of  the 
Philippian  Islands. 

Presuming  that  an  intercommunication  and  exchange  of  seeds,  plants, 
printed  transactions,  &c.,  would  prove  materially  advantageous  to  both  Insti- 
tutions, I take  the  liberty  of  proposing  such  exchange  to  your  Society,  with  a 
tender  of  my  services,  in  receiving  and  despatching  any  letters,  packages, 
&c.,  which  it  may  be  pleased  to  forward  to  my  care,  for  the  “ Royal  Econo • 
me  Society ,”  Minilla,  by  any  of  the  Packets  plying  between  Charleston  and 
this  Port. 

In  the  hope  that  the  proposed  interchange  may  be  attended  with  beneficial 
results  to  both  Institutions. 

I have  the  honor  to  be, 

Very  respectfully  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

AARON  H.  PALMER. 


PROCEEDINGS.  4*3 

On  motion  of  A.  H.  Boykin,  this  letter  was  laid  on  the  table  till  to-morrow 
night. 

Dr.  John  J.  Myers  then  presented  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved.  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Society  be  required 
to  issue  a circular  letter  to  individuals  residing  in  the  different  Districts  and 
Parishes  of  this  State,  requiring  them  to  transmit  to  this  Society,  information 
on  the  following  subjects,  as  connected  with  Agriculture  : 

1st.  An  account  of  the  present  condition  of  Agriculture,  and  the  changes 
since  the  first  settlement  of  the  country. 

2d.  The  general  aspect  of  the  country,  embracing  the  nature  of  the  soil. 

3d.  The  principal  products. 

4th.  The  kinds  of  cultivation  or  tiliage  in  use. 

5th.  The  favorite  breeds  of  Horses,  Mules,  Cattle,  Sheep  and  Swine,  and 
their  management. 

6th.  The  Agricultural  Implements  in  use. 

7th.  The  general  value  of  land. 

8th.  The  Agricultural  changes  necessary  to  advance  the  prosperity  of  the 
country. 

9th.  That  a circular  letter  be  addressed  to  the  District  and  Parish  Socie- 
ties, recommending  them  to  impress  upon  their  members,  the  importance  of 
raising  more  grain  and  stock  than  has  heretofore  been  the  custom  of  the 
country  to  do. 

Dr.  Myers  moved  the  above  to  be  laid  on  the  table  till  to-morrow  night. 
Agreed  to. 

Major  Felder  moved  that  the  President  announce  the  several  committees 
of  award  on  to-morrow  night ; and 

On  motion,  the  Society  adjourned  till  seven  o’clock  to-morrow  night. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


November  29,  1842. 

The  Society  convened  at  seven  o’clock,  the  minutes  of  the  last  meeting 
were  read,  and  reports  from  the  committees  were  called  for  by  the  President. 

Mr.  J.  Fickling,  from  the  committee  on  Cotton,  presented  and  read  a re- 
port on  Sea  Island  Cotton. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  presented  and  read  a report  on  small  grain. 

An  essay  was  presented  from  the  Milton  Agricultural  Society,  “ on  the 
cause  of  agriculture  best  suited  to  the  region  of  country  around  Milton,  Lau- 
rens District.” 

An  essay  was  also  presented  on  Sea  Island  Cot'on,  from  the  President. 


44 


AGRICULTURAL 


Dr.  Myers  moved, 

That  all  the  reports  from  the  several  committees,  together  with  all  commu- 
nications to  this  Society,  be  referred  to  a committee  of  three,  with  instruc- 
tions to  publish  them  in  the  Planter  and  Temperance  Advocate. 

The  following  amendment  was  proposed  to  this  motion,  and  adopted,  viz  : 

That  it  will  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  committee  on  Printing,  to  reject 
or  publish  the  above  reports,  communications,  &c. 

The  President  appointed  the  following,  as  a committee  on  Printing  : 

JOHN  J.  MYERS, 

B.  F.  TAYLOR, 

WADE  HAMPTON,  Sr., 

Rev.  J.  DuBOSE. 

Hon.  R.  W.  Allston  begged  permission  to  suspend  presenting  a report  on 
Rice;  he  proposed  it  to  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  committee  on  Print- 
ing ; which  was  agreed  to. 

Dr.  Myers  moved  that  the  Corresponding  Secretary  be  required  to  respond 
to  the  communication  from  the  agent  of  the  Royal  Economic  Society  of  Mi- 
nilla.  Agreed  to. 

Dr.  Myers  then  introduced  the  following  resolutions  : 

Resolved,  That  this  Society  do  zealously  recommend  to  the  Parish  District 
and  neighborhood  Agricultural  Societies,  to  patronize  the  Planter,  a new  pa- 
per about  to  be  issued  in  Columbia. 

Resolved , That  the  Society  be  requested  to  use  their  strenuous  exertions  to 
procure  subscribers  for  the  Planter.  Agreed  to. 

Dr.  R.  VV.  Gibbes  moved, 

That  the  Corresponding  and  Recording  Secretaries  of  this  Society  be  re- 
quested to  refer  all  communications  which  they  may  receive,  during  the  re- 
cess of  this  Society,  to  the  committee  on  Printing.  Agreed  to. 

Hon.  Mr.  Roper,  of  Charleston,  presented  the  follow'ing  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  State  Agricultural  Society  appoint  a committee  to  me- 
morialize this  Legislature  on  the  subject  of  an  agricultural  survey  of  this 
State,  and  pray  that  an  appropriation  be  made,  and  fit  and  proper  measures  be 
adopted  for  conducting  the  measure  to  a successful  termination. 

Mr.  Roper  stated  this  as  instructive  from  the  Agricultural  Society,  he  rep- 
resented and  sustained  lengthily  this  motion. 

Major  John  Boykin  stated,  he,  as  a delegate  from  the  Wateree  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  had  been  furnished  with  a similar  resolution  from  that  Society, 
which  he  desired  to  sustain. 

Major  Felder,  at  great  length,  opposed  these  resolutions,  with  the  qualifi- 
cation  that  he  would  favor  these  resolutions,  when  the  State  should  be  ready 
to  prosecute  them.  ' 


PROCEEDINGS.  45 

Dr.  Gibbesand  Mr.  Roper  responded  to  him,  and,  on  motion  of  Hon.  J.  B. 
O’Neoll,  the  debate  was  suspended  until  some  future  evening. 

Dr.  Myers  moved, 

That  a committee  of  five  be  appointed  by  the  President,  to  nominate  Offh 
cers  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  President  appointed  the  following  as  a committee,  to  report  on  Thurs- 
day evening: 

Dr.  JOHN  J.  MYERS, 

B.  F.  TAYLOR, 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON, 

J.  FICKLING, 

WM.  CANE. 

The  Society  then,  on  motion,  adjourned  till  six  o’clock,  Thursday  evening. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


Thursday,  Dec.  1,  1S42. 

The  Society  convened  according  to  appoinment,  the  minutes  were  read, 
when  a communication  was  received  from  the  Hon.  James  PT.  Ilammond,  and 
referred  to  the  committee  on  Printing. 

The  President  announced  the  following  committees' for  the  ensuing  year  : 

ON  COTTON. 

Gen.  George  McDuffie,  Abbeville;  Maj.  Wm.  S.  Lyles,  Fairfield;  Col. 
Win.  K.  Clowney,  Union;  Col.  Simeon  Fair,  Newberry;  Dr.  J.  Douglas. 
Chester;  Maj.  A.  FI.  Boykin,  Kershaw;  Dr.  J.  Fickling,  St.  Lukes. 

ON  CORN. 

Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  Sr.,  Fairfield  ; Col.  Whitfield  Brooks,  Edgefield  ; 
L.  Boozer,  Lexington  ; W.  R.  Pool,  Spartanburgh  ; J.  M.  Felder,  Orange- 
burgh  ; B.  F.  Taylor,  Richland;  C.  R.  Carroll,  Barnwell. 

ON  RICE. 

R.  F.  W\  Alston,  All  Saints  ; Hon.  D.  E.  Huger,  St.  Philips  ; J.  B.  Grim, 
ball,  St.  Pauls  ; J.  Ferguson,  St.  Johns  Berkley ; Hon.  B.  F.  Duncan,  All 
Saints  ; Joshua  J.  Ward. 

ON  SMALL  GRAIN. 

Hon.J.  B.  O’Neail,  Newberry;  Col.  R.  J.  Gage,  Union;  Col.  J.  A.  Ah 
ston,  York  ; J.  A.  Calhoun,  Anderson  ; Gen.  J.  Gillespie,  Marlborough  ; Cob 
B.  F.  Perry,  Greenville  ; Wm.  T.  Ellerbe,  Marlborough. 


46 


AGRICULTURAL 


Col.  W.  Brooks  presented  the  following  resolutions,  viz : 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  deem  it 
highly  important  to  the  prosperity  and  success  of  the  Institution,  that  branch 
Societies  should  be  established  in  every  District  in  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  this  Society  be  requested  to  use  his  best 
efforts  to  promote  the  formation  of  an  Agricultural  Society  in  each  and  every 
District  in  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  agricultural  improvements 
throughout  the  State,  a petition  be  presented  to  the  Legislature,  asking  an  ap- 
propriation of  550  dollars,  to  be  used  under  the  direction  of  this  Society,  in 
offering  premiums  for  the  different  agricultural  productions,  and  such  speci- 
mens of  dsmestic  manufacture  as  shall  be  decided  to  merit  the  patronage  and 
encouragement  of  this  Society. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  event  of  an  appropriation,  by  the  Legislature,  of 
the  above  sum  of  money,  it  shall  be  exclusively  used  and  applied  to  distribu- 
ting  premiums  for  agricultural  productions  and  domestic  manufactures  in  the 
several  Districts;  and  under  no  circumstances,  to  be  used  in  offering  premi- 
ums for  the  exhibition  of  stock  of  any  description,  at  this  place. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  giving  some  indication  of  the  opinion  of 
this  Society,  at  this  time,  as  to  the  importance  of  those  branches  of  agricul- 
tural productions  and  domestic  manufactures,  worthy  of  its  patronage,  pre- 
miums be  offered, 

For  the  largest  product  of  Corn,  from  a lot  of  not  less  than  ten  acres  of 
land ; 

For  the  greatest  yield  of  seed  Cotton,  both  of  short  and  long  staple,  from 
a lot  of  ten  acres  ; 

For  the  greatest  yield  of  Wheat,  Oats  and  Rye,  from  lots  of  ten  acres  each  ; 
[ On  all,  the  land  must  have  been  in  cultivation  not  less  than  ten  years. 

Also  premiums  for  domestic  manufacture,  composed  of  cotton  and  of  cot- 
ton mixed  with  wool,  or  silk,  or  other  material,  as  shall  hereafter  be  selected 
by  this  Society. 

Resolved,  That  in  competing  for  premiums,  low  lands  shall  compete  with 
low  lands,  and  high  lands  with  high  lands. 

Also,  that  a premium  shall  be  given  for  the  greatest  yield  of  Sweet  Pota- 
toes, on  ten  acres  of  land. 

Resolved,  That  each  competitor  for  a premium  shall  furnish  a statement, 
in  writing,  of  the  mode  of  preparing  his  land,  planting  and  cultivating,  the 
quantity  and  kind  of  manure,  and  its  mode  of  application. 

Col.  Brooks  sustained  his  resolutions,  and,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Davis,  the  de- 
bate was  suspended  till  after  the  delivery  of  the  Anniversary  Oration. 

The  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  delivered  an  interesting  address. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


47 


Dr.  John  J.  Myers,  then  introduced  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved , That  this  Society,  tender  their  thanks  to  the  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall 
for  his  able  and  interesting  address,  and  that  a committee  of  three  be  appoint, 
ed  to  wait  on  Judge  O’Neall,  and  furnish  him  with  a copy  of  a resolution  and 
request  of  him  a copy  for  publication. 

Resolved , That  our  most  sincere  thanks  be  tendered  to  the  ladies,  for  the 
“ wreath  cf  beauty,”  with  which  they  have  crowned  and  adorned  the  gallery 
to  night,  and  also  to  Mr.  Russel,  for  his  beautiful  and  extensive  exhibition  of 
of  flowers.  Agreed  to. 

The  President  appointed  thereupon  the  following  as  the  committee  : 

Dr.  JOHN  J.  MYERS, 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES, 

Dr.  H.  CLARK. 

Col.  Brook’s  resolutions  were  again  taken  up  and  discussed,  by  Mr.  E. 
G.  Palmer,  and  others,  and  the  resolutions  being  separately  put,  were  carried 
unanimously. 

On  motion,  a committee  was  appointed  to  detail  the  awards  and  items, 
under  Col.  Brooks’s  resolution,  consisting  of  Col.  Brooks,  E.  G.  Palmer  and 

B.  F.  Taylor. 

The  following  was  presented  as  their  report  : 

For  the  largest  product  of  corn,  . . . . . . 20  00 


second 

do 

do 

• 

• • 

. . 15  00 

u 

third 

do 

do 

. 10  00 

(< 

fourth 

do 

do 

, 

• « 

. . 5 00 

For  the  largest  yield  of  short  staple  cotton,  . . . 20  00 


<< 

second 

do 

do  ... 

. 15 

00 

u 

third 

do 

do  » . . 

10 

00 

(( 

fourth 

do 

do  . 

5 

00 

For 

the  largest  yield  of 

lorn 

l staple, 

..... 

20 

00 

<( 

second 

do 

do 

. . . . . 

. 15 

00 

u 

third 

do 

do 

. . . . . 

10 

00 

a 

fourth 

do 

do 



6 

00 

For 

the  largest 

yield  of  wheat, 

. . . » . 

20 

00 

a 

second 

do 

do  . 

. . . . . 

. 15 

00 

u 

third 

do 

do 



10 

00 

u 

fourth 

do 

do  . 

. .... 

5 

00 

48 


AGRICULTURAL 


For  the  largest  yield  of  oats, 

, . * 

4 * 

20  00 

“ second  do 

do 

. • • 

• • 

15  00 

“ third  do 

do 

• « « • 

, , 

10  00 

“ fourth  do 

do 

. 

. 

5 00 

For  the  larget  yield  of 

rye, 

• • • • 

20  00 

“ second  do 

do 

. ■ e 

• 

15  00 

“ third  do 

do 

• • • 

, , 

10  00 

“ fourth  do 

do 

• 

. 

5 00 

For  the  best  ten  yards  of  plain  or 

twilled  homespun  of  cotton, 

20  00 

“ second  do 

do 

do  do 

do 

15  00 

“ third  do 

do 

do  do 

do 

10  00 

“ fourth  do 

do 

do  do 

do 

5 00 

For  the  best  ten  yards  of  plain  or  twilled  homespun  of  cotton  and 
wool,  or  cotton  and  silk,  dyed  or  not,  .... 

20  00 

“ second 

, , 

• • • • 

4 . 

15  00 

“ third 

• 

. 

. 

10  00 

“ fourth 

• 

. 

• 

5 00 

For  the  best  blanket  or 

coverlet  of  part  or  all  wool, 

4 # 

20  00 

“ second 

do 

do  do 

. , 

15  00 

third 

do 

do  do 

• . 

10  00 

“ fourth 

do 

do  do  . 

• 

5 00 

For  the  best  figured  counterpane  of  cotton,  . 

. 4 . 

20  00 

“ second 

do 

do 

• • 

15  00 

“ third 

do 

do 

. 

10  00 

“ fourth 

do 

do  . . . 

. . 

5 00 

The  above  report,  as  above,  was  agreed  to,  and  the  President  apppointed 
the  following  as  the  committee  to  memorialize  the  Legislature,  under  Col. 
Brook’s  resolution  : 

Col.  BROOKS, 

E.  G.  PALMER, 

Gen.  MEANS, 

Gen.  GILLESPIE, 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES. 

Dr.  Gibbes  moved  that  the  Secretary  of  this  Society  be  requested  to  pre- 
sent  Mrs.  Mary  Dantzler  of  Spartanburg  District  a silver  cup,  for  the 
splendid  specimens  of  silk  handkerchiefs,  manufactured  by  her  and  submitted 
to  this  Society.  Unanimously  adopted. 


PROCEEDINGS.  49 

Col.  R.  F.  VV.  Allston,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Rice,  was  called  on 
Dud  read  his  report  on  Rice. 

Dr.  Myers,  chairman  of  the  committee  to  nominate  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year,  made  the  following  report : 

Hon.  WHITE  MARSH  B.  SEABROOK,  President. 

Col.  WHITFIELD  BROOKS,  -] 

Chancellor  HARPER, 

Chancellor  DUNKlN,  J-  Vice  Presidents. 

Major  J.  M.  FELDER,  | 

General  GILLESPIE,  J 

Dr.  ROBER.T  W.  GIBBE3,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 

Col.  WM.  JESSE  TAYLOR,  Anniversary  Orator.- 

This  report  was  put  and  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  President  addressed  the  Society,  at  some  length  and  again  took  hig- 
seat  as  the  presiding  officer  for  the  next  year. 

Col.  W.  J.  Taylor,  expressed  himself  fully,  in  appreciating  the  honor  con- 
ferred upon  him,  and  will  favor  the  Society  with  a compliance  of  their  elec- 
tion. 

Dr.  Myers  moved  that  a committee  be  now  appointed  to  arrange  the  premi- 
urns  for  the  exhibition  in  1843,  and  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  : 

Dr.  JOHN  J.  MYERS, 

Dr.  JAS.  B.  DAVIS, 

B.  F.  TAYLOR. 

The  committees  appointed  to  make  awards  for  stock,  were  called  on,  and 
Col.  Hampton,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  horses,  reported  the  follow- 
ing: 

The  committee  on  horses,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  have  awarded  the 
following  premiums : 

To  Major  A.  G.  Summer,  the  first  premium  for  his  chesnut  mare  by  Bu- 
siris. 

To  Col.  William  J.  Taylor,  the  second  premium-,  for  his  brown  mare  by 
Confederate. 

To  B.  F.  Taylor  for  the  best  colt,  a yearling  by  Monarch. 

To  Col.  William  J.  Taylor,  for  the  best  filly,  a foal  by  Bertrand,  Jr. 

No  stallion  was  exhibited  for  a premium,  and  your  committee  of  course 
awarded  none. 


4 


WADE  HAMPTON,  Chairman . 


50 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  committee  on  mules,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  the}’  have  awarded  the 
premiums  for  mules,  to  the  following  persons  : 

To  General  Means,  for  the  best  three  year  old  mule. 

To  Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  Jr.,  for  the  best  two  year  old  mule. 

To  Major  Felder,  for  the  best  mule  under.two  years  old. 

The  committee  also  report  that  they  had  much  difficulty  in  awarding  the 
premiums  on  mules,  from  the  fact  that  an  unusually  large  number  of  very 
superior  ones  were  exhibited.  Mr.  Povvel  exhibited  one,  tho’  the  committee 
did  not  make  it  the  award,  cannot  but  notice  it.  Col.  Davis  exhibited  some 
most  remarkable  for  size,  as  well  as  also  Major  Felder  of  Orangeburg. 

J.  H.  MEANS,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  cattle  have  awarded  the  premiums,  as  follows  : 

For  the  best  bull  to  General  Means,  a roan  Durham  Bull,  bred  by  Col. 
Hamptm  of  Richland. 

To  B.  F.  Taylor,  for  the  second  best  bull,  an  imported  Ayrshire. 

To  Col.  Jon.  Davis  Jr.,  for  the  best  two  year  old  bull,  a full  Durham,  bred 
by  Jas.  B.  Davis. 

For  the  best  yearling  bull,  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  a Durham,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  milk  cow,  to  J.  B.  Davis,  an  imported  Durham. 

For  the  second  best  milk  cow,  to  Col.  Wm.  J.  Taylor,  Durham,  bred  by 
C&pt.  Powel  McCrea  of  Kershaw. 

For  the  best  heifer,  under  three  years  old  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  yearling  heifer  to  B.  F.  Taylor,  (red  Durham)  bred  by  him- 
self. 

For  the  best  bull  calf  to  Wm.  J.  Taylor,  (Durham)  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  heifer  calf,  to  Mrs.  Gandy,  (native  stock)  bred  by  herself. 

B.  F.  TAYOR,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  sheep,  have  made  the  following  awards  : 

To  Dr.  Parker,  for  the  best  ram. 

To  B.  F.  Taylor,  for  the  best  ewe. 

To  General  Means,  for  second  best  ram. 

No  award  made  for  the  best  pair  of  lambs. 

THOMAS  STARK,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  hogs,  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  dif- 
ferent ho^s  and  pigs,  presented  to  the  Society,  no  specimens  competing  for 
the  pigs,  viz : 

By  Gen.  J.  Means,  a pair  of  Woburn  pigs,  nine  months  old. 

By  Mr.  .D  E.  Smoke,  a pair  of  Woburn  sow  pigs,  nine  months  old. 

By  T.  Starke,  a pair  of  Woburn  pigs,  nine  or  ten  months  old. 


PROCEEDINGS.  51 

By  B.  P.  Taylor,  a pair  of  half  breed  Berkshire  pigs,  four  or  live  months 
old,  and  a Berkshire  boar. 

By  Mr.  Parker,  a Berkshire  boar,  (raised  by  Col.  Hampton,)  also,  two 
Berkshire  sows,  two  pair  of  Berkshire  pigs,  and  a very  fine  sow,  a cross  of 
the  No  bone  and  Berkshire. 

After  a very  deliberate  and  careful  examination,  your  committee  unani- 
mously have  awarded  the  premiums  to  the  competitors  as  follows; 

To  J.  W.  Parker’s  Berkshire  boar,  the  first  premium. 

To  J.  Means’  Woburn  do  second  do 

To  J.  W,  Parker’s  black  Berkshire  sow,  first  do 

To  J.  W.  Parker’s  spotted  do  second  do 

To  Dr.  Stark’s  Woburn  pigs,  the  premium,  the  best  under  one  year. 

To  J.  W.  Parker’s  Berkshire  do  do  six  months. 

In  addition  to  the  above  pigs  exhibited,  there  Were  some  other  very  fine 
specimens.  Col.  Hampton,  who  declined  competing  for  any  prize,  favored 
the  Society  with  the  exhibition  of  four  Berkshire  pigs,  four  months  old,  very 
fine  indeed.  Also  Mr.  John  Singleton,  who  exhibited  a pair  of  Berkshire, 
very  fine  ; and  a white  sow,  six  months  old,  a cross  of  the  Kenilworth  and 
Berkshire. 

Your  committee  received  this  animal  with  great  pleasure.  It  is  we  believe 
the  first  of  the  Kenilworth  breed  of  hogs,  imported  into  this  State,  it  is  classed 
as  the  largest  of  all  the  varieties  of  swine,  and  we  had  unanimously  awarded 
the  premium  to  this  animal,  as  the  second  best  sow  exhibited  ; from  a de- 
scription given  of  this  animal  by  the  celebrated  breeder  of  the  north,  A.  B. 
Allen,  your  committee  believe  the  animal  will  he  particularly  acceptable 
to  those  persons  who  desire  great  size ; we  regret  that  her  enterprizing  owner 
refused  to  compete  for  a prize. 

Your  committee  will  further  remark  to  the  Society,  that  of  all  the  varieties 
of  hogs  exhibited,  wherever  a cross  of  the  Berkshire  can  be  traced,  a most 
decided  improvement  is  the  result.  Your  committee  would  therefore  recom- 
mend to  farmers  generally,  the  encouragemeni  of  that  breed,  as  being  the 
most  suitable  for  all  purposes. 

It  is  with  great  satisfaction,  that  your  committee  can  report  a great  im- 
provement in  the  different  breeds  exhibited  ; their  fine  condition,  and  great 
improvement  does  indeed,  great  credit  to  their  very  enterprizing  owners. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

Signed,  W.  IZARD  BULL,  Acting  Char  man. 


52 


AGRICULTURAL 


November  27,  1848. 

The  Society  assembled  at  seven  o’clock.  The  President  took  his  sc-a': 
and  the  delegates  enrolled  their  names. 

The  following  letter  was  presented  to  the  Society  : 

Charleston , S.  C.  November  24,  1843, 

To  the  Hon . Whiteraarsk  B.  Seabrook, 

President  of  the  Stale  Agricultural  Society,  of  S.  C. 

Sir  : Permit  me,  through  you,  to  offer  to  the  acceptance  of  the  State  Ag= 
rlcultural  Society,  for  the  purposes  to  be  stated,  three  copies  of  the  Farmer’s 
Register,  complete  in  ten  volumes,  of  as  many  years  publication,  under  my 
direction.  I request  of  the  Society,  to  offer  and  in  due  time,  award  these 
three  copies  severally,  as  premiums,  as  follows  ; One  copy  for  the  best  con- 
ducted experiment,  made  in  South  Carolina,  in  1834,  with  marl,  showing  as 
accurately  and  fully  as  possible,  the  manner  and  cost  of  application,  and  the 
effects  for  the  first  year. 

Another  copy,  in  like  manner,  for  experiments  made  with  lime,  from  oys- 
ter shells,  or  with  crushed  shells,  and  the  third  copy  in  like  manner,  for  ex- 
periments made  with  lime,  burnt  with  limestone  from  the  upper  Districts. 
And  as  the  results  of  application  of  calcareous  manures,  even  when  most 
judiciously  and  properly  made,  can  never  for  the  first  year  appioach  in  value 
to  the  later  and  continuous  results  of  years,  and  as  still  smaller  must  be  the 
first  year’s  results  from  injudicious  modes  of  application,  I would  desire  that 
it  be  requested,  thoughJnocfrf^'mZ,  or  made  a condition  of  obtaining  the  pre- 
mium, that  each  successful  competitor,  or  the  succeeding  proprietor  of  the 
land,  shall  again  report  generally,  as  the  latest  known  result,  once  or  more 
from  five  to  ten  years  after  the  application.  The  details  of  the  requisitions 
in  regard  to  the  several  classes  of  experiments,  of  course  are  designed  tc 
be  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  Society. 

Very  respectfully, 

EWD.  RUFFIN. 

On  motion  of  Major  Felder, 

Agreed  to. 

An  Essay  on  Malaria,  and  or.e  on  ins  History,  culture,  Ac.,  cf  (he  cottc:: 
plant,  was  presented. 

Major  Felder  moved  that  each  be  read  to  the  Society.  This  mot'on  was 
opposed  by  the  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  and  lost. 

On  motion  of  Hen.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  it  was  ordered  that  these  Essavs  be 
published  by  the  Secretary. 

Mr.  Rivers  moved  that  our  State  Agricultural  Surveyor,  be  invited  to  take 
a seat  in  the  Society,  which  was  unanimously  agreed  to,  and  Mr.  River? 
appointed  so  to  inform  him. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


53 


.Mr.  McCarthy  moved  that  a committee  of  nine  be  appointed  to  consider 
and  report  what  measure  it  is  desirable  should  be  adopted  to  extend  the  use- 
fullness  of  this  Society  ; which  was  agreed  to,  and  [the  following  gentlemen 
appointed:  P.  S.  McCarthy,  E.  G.  Palmer,  J.  M.  Felder,  James  Rhett, 
J.  Brown,  Dr.  Douglass,  Jas.  Chesnut,  General  Buchanan  and  R.  F.  W. 
Allston. 

On  motion  it  was  agreed  that  the  President,  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook,  be 
added. 

On  motion  the  Society  adjourned  till  seven  o’clock  to-morrow  evening. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 


November  28 — Tuesday  Evening,  1843. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  evening  were  read  and  the  following  letter  read 
from  Mr.  B.  F.  Taylor: 

My  Dear  Sir : The  articles  of  silk  fabric  herewith  sent,  have  been  sent 
me,  by  Miss  Fleming  of  Spartanburg  District,  for  exhibition  at  the  meeting 
of  the  State  Agricultural  Society.  The  state  of  my  health  will  prevent  my 
attendance,  and  I must  request  you  to  place  them  in  the  hands  of  the  com- 
mittee which  may  be  appointed  to  award  premiums  for  domestic  fabrics  of 
the  kind.  The  silk  fabrics  sent  you  were  made  and  spun  and  wove  by  Miss 
Fleming’s  own  hands,  and  consist  of  two  vest  and  two  coat  patterns. 

Yours,  &e. 

B.  F.  TAYLOR. 

November  28,  1S43. 

Mr.  M’Carthy  moved  a reconsideration  of  the  motion  of  Hon.  John  B. 
O’Neall,  to  print  the  Essay  of  Dr.  Dickson,  on  Malaria,  and  that  of  the 
Hon.  VV.  Seabrook,  on  the  cotton  plant,  without  reading,  which  was  agreed 
to,  and  the  Essay  on  Malaria,  was  ordered  to  be  forthwith  read,  and  that  of 
the  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook,  on  to-morrow  night. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Felder,  it  was  agreed  to,  and  a vote  of  thanks  be  ten- 
dered to  Dickson. 

Mr.  M’Carthy,  chairman  of  the  committee  of  nine,  presented  the  follow- 
ing : 

Resolved,  That  the  competition  for  premiums  in  this  Society,  shall  be  con- 
fined to  the  following  classes  of  specimens,  and  upon  the  following  terms  ; and 
it  shall  also  be  confined  to  the  successful  competitors  in  the  local  societies, 
for  the  same  benefit  in  cases  where  there  is  no  local  Society,  in  which  event 
the  competitor  may  send  his  certificate  to  this  Society,  to  "contend  for  the 
premium. 


54 


AGRICULTURAL 


Resolved,  That  the  following  premiums  be  offered  for  the  next  year  : 

1.  A silver  cup  for  the  best  managed  Farm,  . . 20  00 


2.  A 

do 

do 

for  the  greatest  production  of  Corn  to  an  acre, 

10 

CO 

3.  A 

do 

do 

do 

do  short  Cotton  to  the  acre, 

10 

CO 

4.  A 

do 

do 

do 

do  Sea  Island  Cotton, 

10 

00 

having  reference  to  quality  and  valuation. 

5.  A silver  cup 

for  the  best  Wheat  to  an  acre, 

10 

00 

G.  A 

do 

do 

do 

Rice,  do  . 

10 

00 

7.  A 

do 

do 

do 

Potatoes,  do  ... 

10 

00 

8.  A 

do 

do 

do 

for  the  best  specimen  of  silk  fabric, 

10 

00 

9.  A 

do 

do 

do 

Domestic  fabric, 

10 

00 

10.  A 

do 

do 

do 

Domestic  Cotton  Bagging, 

10 

00 

11.  A 

do 

do 

do 

Rope,  ..... 

10 

00 

In  order  to  disseminate  and  procure  useful  agricultural  information,  it  is 
essentially  important,  that  an  Agricultural  Journal,  under  the  charge  of  an 
efficient  editor,  be. established  and  maintained,  and  that  the  editorial  depart- 
ment should  be  separate  from  the  printing  business.  Thereupon, 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Society  do  agree  to  use  their  best 
efforts,  to  raise  in  their  respective  Districts  and  Parishes,  a sum  equal  in 
the  general  aggregate,  to  two  thousand  dollars,  for  two  years  services  of  an 
editor.  That  the  amount  subscribed  by  each  individual,  shall  be  limited  to 
one  dollar,  which  shall  be  considered  as  an  offering  on  the  part  of  the  sub- 
scribers to  promote  the  agricultural  interests  of  South  Carolina,  and  the 
amount  collected  bo  forwarded  to  the  Secretary,  as  soon  as  collected. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  this  Society,  do  further  engage  to  pro- 
cure, if  possible,  eight  subscribers,  for  two  years,  to  said  Journal,  for  every 
member  of  the  State  Legislature,  to  which  his  District  or  Parish  is  constitu- 
tionally entitled. 

Resolved,  That  the  Sccrelaryof  this  Society,  communicate  a copy  of  these 
resolutions  to  each  local  Society,  in  the  State,  with  a request  that  they  com- 
municate to  this  Society  all  information  necessary  or  desirable  to  a correct 
judgment  between  the  competitors  from  each,  and  any  other  matter  that  mav 
be  thought  calculated  to  aid  the  objects  of  this  Society. 

The  above  resolutions  were  separately  put  to  the  vote  of  the  Society  and 
agreed  to. 

Col.  Edwards  moved  that  the  Secretary  do  prepare  an  alphabetical  list  of 
the  members  of  this  Society,  and  have  the  same  printed  with  the  proceedings 
of  the  Society,  which  was  agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  E.  G.  Palmer,  the  Secretary  was  required  to  make  out  the 
indebtedness  of  each  member  of  the  Society,  and  cause  the  same  to  be  paid 
forthwith. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


On  motion  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  propriety  of  reorganizing  this  Society  upon  a more 
permament  basis,  be  submitted  to  the  “ Committee  of  nine,”  to  report  as 
soon  as  possible.  Agreed  to. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  Allston,  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Puce,  presented  and 
read  the  following  report  : 

The  Committee  on  Rice,  in  their  last  report,  prepared  the  members  of  the 
Society,  to  expect  some  account  of  the  origin  and  preservation  of  the  large 
grain  Rice  from  the  judicious  and  very  eminent  planter,  who  has  so  success- 
fully cultivated  it,  and  whose  “ brand”  the  remarkable  qualities  of  this  rice, 
so  admirably  illustrated  and  so  substantially  recommend. 

They  are  gratified  in  being  enabled  by  the  attention  of  the  planter  of  Brook 
Green,  to  meet  the  expectation  of  the  Society. 

Together  with  specimens  of  the  rice,  both  in  the  rough  and  clean,  as  pre- 
pared for  market,  they  beg  leave  herewith  to  lay  before  you  a copy  of  a 
letter  on  the  subject,  from  Col.  Ward,  to  a friend  of  his  ; showing  how  the 
grain  came  first  to  be  noticed  ; how  it  was  most  carefully  preserved  and 
patiently  reared  till  the  harvest  of  this  year. 

The  seed  will  be  on  sale  during  the  season,  at  the  counting  house  of  Messrs. 
Robertson  and  Blacklock,  in  Charleston. 

The  committee  also  alluded  to  some  experiments  of  Dr.  E.  T.  Heriot  of 
Winyaw,  in  manuring  rice  land  with  straw  and  tailings.  They  are  pleased 
at  having  it  in  their  power  to  present,  to  the  Society,  an  account  from  Dr.  Heriot 
himself,  of  his  experiments  in  this  regard,  together  with  interesting  specimens 
of  the  superior  growth  of  the  soil,  so  manured,  namely : 1st,  some  samples  of 
arrow  rool,  remarkably  large  and  succulent.  2d,  a cluster  of  from  seventy 
to  eighty  stems  of  rice,  produced  under  the  Doctor’s  eye  from  one  grain. 

It  is  with  the  highest  satisfaction  and  pleasure  that  your  committee  observe 
the  lively  interest  which  the  planters  of  the  lower  eountry  are  now  taking  in 
the  improvement  of  their  lands  and  their  culture  ; the  substantial  benefits  as 
well  as  the  pleasure,  derivable  from  the  practice  of  scientific  agriculture,  will 
give  rise,  they  trust,  to  new  and  ever  increasing  interest. 

The  committee  cannot  close  this  report,  without  taking  the  liberty  to  re- 
commend to  every  young  man  who  is  turning  his  attention  to  planting,  to  de- 
vote a given  portion  of  his  time,  weekly,  to  the  study  of  agricultural  chem- 
istry. 

This  would  be  done  with  better  effect  and  more  satisfactory  progress,  if  he 
would  attend  for  one  or  two  years  successively,  a course  of  lectures,  from  a 
gentleman  of  practical  ability  in  that  branch  of  chemical  study. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON,  Chairmen. 


56 


AGRICULTURAL 


Letter  from  Col.  Ward,  on  the  Big  Grain  Pace. 

Brook  Green,  Nov.  16,  1843. 

Bear  Alls  ton, 

The  following  brief  remarks,  relative  to  the  big  grain  Rice,  I send 
you,  in  compliance  with  your  request. 

In  1838,  my  overseer,  Mr.  James  C.  Thompson,  a very  judicious  planter, 
residing  on  my  Brook  Green  Estate,  accidentally  discovered  in  the  Barn 
yard,  during  the  threshing  season,  a part  of  an  ear  of  Rice,  from  the  peculi- 
arity of  which,  he  was  induced  to  preserve  it,  until  he  had  an  interview  with 
me. 

It  was  so  very  different  from  any  other  Rice  I had  attentively  examined,  in 
point  of  size,  that  I requested  him  to  take  care  of,  and  plant  in  the  Spring  on 
one  of  the  Rice-field  margins,  which  had  not  been  cultivated  for  several  years. 
This,  however,  proved  to  be  an  unfavorable  spot : for  in  long  watering,  the 
trash  settled  on  and  about  the  experiment  Rice — and  after  the  “ long  water,” 
the  rats  also  injured  it  no  little.  The  causes  reduced  the  number  of  plants 
which  matured  to  only  six,  the  grain  of  which  appeared  the  same  as  that 
which  was  planted. 

Our  want  of  success  in  procuring  the  quantity  of  grain  expected,  induced 
us  in  the  Spring  of  1839,  to  plant  the  Rice  in  a large  tub,  filled  with  swamp 
mud,  and  placed  in  Mr.  Thompson’s  garden,  where  it  could  be  watered  and  at- 
tended to  every  day.  But  here  another  misfortune  betel  it.  The  careless 
servant  who  had  it  in  charge,  left  the  garden  gate  open,  and  a hog  getting  in, 
destroyed  the  greater  part  of  the  rice.  The  remaining  shoots  were  carefully 
taken  up  and  transplanted  in  a pond  : from  which  we  obtained  three  pecks  of 
rotten  light  rice — the  fact  of  its  being  light  was  attributed  to  the  want  of  wa- 
ter at  the  critical  time  of  its  maturing. 

In  the  year  of  1840,  we  planted  with  this  seed  not  quite  half  an  acre  of 
new  land,  at  “ Long  Wood,”  which  yielded  in  the  Autumn,  forty-nine  bushels 
and  a half  of  clean  winnowed  rice. 

In  the  year  1841,  this  product  was  sown  in  a twenty-one  acre  field,  at 
Brook  Green,  which  yielded  in  the  Autumn,  one  thousand  one  hundred  and 
seventy  bushels  of  sheaf  rice,  clean  winnowed.  Of  this  quantity,  from  one 
hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  bushels  were  milled,  and  sent  to  market. 
My  Factors  disposed  of  it  at  a considerable  advance  beyond  the  highest  mar- 
ket price. 

In  the  year  1842,  I planted  four  hundred  acres  with  this  seed,  and  being  so 
perfectly  satisfied  with  both  the  product  and  the  improved  quality  of  the  same, 
I was  induced  in  the  succeeding  year,  (1343,)  to  sow  with  it  my  entire  crop. 
The  first  parcel,  when  milled,  consisted  of  eighty  barrels,  netted  fifty  cents 
per  cwt.  over  the  primest  new  rice  sold  on  the  same  day. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


57 


Such  is  a hurried  account  of  the  origin  of  the  big  grain  Rice,  which  I have 
been  solicited  to  furnish.  I earnestly  trust  that  this  improvement  in  the  seed, 
will  be  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  entire  Rice-growing  region. 

Sincerely  yours, 

JOSHUA  JOHN  WARD. 

To  Col.  R.  F.  W.  Allston. 


Mount  Arena,  Nov.  8,  1843. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  Allslon, 

Your  queries  respecting  the  varieties  of  Rice,  &c.  reminds  me  of 
my  promise  to  give  you  the  result  of  some  of  my  experiments  with  rice-straw 
and  tailings,  as  manure  to  rice  land.  Wherever  they  have  been  put  upon  my 
field's,  which  had  been  making  small  crops,  the  effect  has  been  satisfactory,  and 
it  has  become  a part  of  the  system  of  my  plantation. 

In  the  month  of  November,  1839,  I caused  the  stubble  of  two  fields,  one  15 
the  other  10  acres,  to  be  listed  four  feet  apart,  and  parallel  with  the  drains, 
after  which  a furrow  was  made  on  each  side  with  a large  plough  : the  land 
unbroken  in  the  centre  was  then  drawn  upon  the  beds  with  hoes.  During  the 
time  of  thrashing,  the  straw  and  tailings  were  carried  off  in  a large  flat,  and 
each  load  u as  distributed  between  the  beds  of  one  acre,  until  the  whole  was 
covered — in  this  state  they  were  left  until  the  last  week  in  June,  when  all  the 
volunteer  rice  and  grass  was  hoed  down,  and  the  beds  reversed  with  ploughs 
and  completed  with  hoes — the  ditches  and  drains  were  then  cleaned,  and  the 
fields  were  planted  in  peas,  set  in  chops  about  a foot  apart — the  land  was  in 
good  order,  and  the  peas  grew  luxuriantly,  and  made  a fine  crop — no  volun- 
teer rice,  and  as  little  grass  as  possible  was  allowed  to  go  to  seed. 

In  the  first  week  of  April  the  vines  were  cut  down,  and  the  beds  were  level- 
ed with  ploughs  and  hoes — this  was  very  easily  done,  as  the  land  was  dry 
and  remarkably  loose — they  were  then  trenched  in  the  usual  way  13  inches, 
from  centre  to  centre — two  bushels  and  twelve  quarts  of  rice  were  planted  to 
each  acre,  and  the  seed  was  well  covered  with  earth — during  the  cultivation, 
the  common  plan  was  pursued,  (:.  e.)  sprout,  point,  long  and  lay — by  flow — 
two  hoeings  between  point  and  long  flow,  two  after  and  one  picking  in  the  wa- 
ter. The  crop  was  well  saved,  and  produced  within  a fraction  of  73  bushels 
to  the  acre — the  straw  and  chaff  of  this  rice  was  of  a much  lighter  colour 
than  any  other  made  upon  the  plantation,  and  the  grain  was  of  a superior 
quality — 1979  bushels  of  rough  rice,  made  from  land  treated  in  the  manner 
described,  was  pounded  in  the  Georgetown  Steam  mill  last  winter,  and  turned 
out  (tierces  600  lbs.  net.). 


58 


AGRICULTURAL 


93  tierces,  and  157lbs.  prime  Rice. 

5 do.  middling,  and 
•3  do.  small,  and 
193  bushels  flour. 

I cannot  say,  what  had  been  made  upon/these  fields  for  the  three  or  four 
previous  years,  but  on  reference  to  the  plantation  book  where  an  account  had 
been  kept,  I found  the  average  crop  from  them  to  have  been  thirty-three 
bushels  and  a fraction  to  the  acre. 

in  some  of  my  fields  I have  planted  oats  upon  the  beds,  one  and  sometimes 
two  rows,  and  these  have  in  some  instances  been  followed  by  potatoe  slips, 
which  succeed  remarkably  well,  and  it  may  be  worthy  of  notice,  keep  fully 
as  well,  if  not  better  than  those  made  upon  high  land. 

Although  the  rice  thus  made  received  as  much  work  as  is  usually  bestowed 
under  the  best  cultivation,  yet  it  was  not  bestowed  from  its  seeming  to  require 
it,  but  from  the  fact  of  its  being  convenient  to  do  so  in  turn  with  other  fields 
of  the  plantation.  I believe  as  much  might  have  been  made  with  two  work- 
ings, as  the  grass  had  been  so  completely  destroyed,  and  the  land  so  thorough- 
ly opened  previously,  that  but  little  remained  to  be  effected  by  the  hoes — 
from  subsequent  observation  this  land  is  much  more  easily  cultivated,  and 
with  proper  care  some  years  must  elapse  before  the  volunteer  rice,  and  vari- 
ous grasses  regain  their  standing. 

o o o 

Which  of  the  three  means  in  this  plan  is  of  most  importance  is  to  be  de- 
termined— thoroughly  breaking  the  soil,  with  the  destruction  of  volunteer 
rice  and  grass  seed,  change  of  crop  and  culture,  or  the  application  of  the 
rice  straw. 

The  work  laid  out  in  this  manner  ought  not  to  be  considered  as  altogether 
additional,  but  very  much  is  given  in  advance  ; and  at  a time  well  suited  to 
it — as  when  the  rice  planting  season  arrives  it  will  be  found,  as  before  re- 
marked,  to  require  very  little  more;  alter  which  its  state  of  preservation,  for 
a good  crop,  will  far  exceed  any  condition  that  could  be  brought  about  by  the 
means  at  commai  d during  the  winter  season. 

From  the  observations  which  I have  made  since  my  attention  was  first 
drawn  to  this  matter,  it  appears  that  it  would  be  profitable  for  such  persons  as 
plant  weak  or  impoverished  land  to  subject  one  fifth  of  the  quantity  annually 
planted  to  this  mode  of  treatment.  From  the  increase  which  might  be  ob- 
tained  in  the  first  crop,  a considerable  return,  if  not  all,  would  be  made  for 
the  loss  of  a rice  crop  on  the  land  for  one  year,  and  the  balance,  if  any,  would 
be  soon  made  up  by  the  succeeding  crops — besides  the  advantage  gained  from 
the  increased  fertility  of  the  fields  for  some  years,  the  enhanced  value  of 
their  production  from  the  superior  quality  of  the  grain,  and  the  diminished 
labour  during  the  cultivation  of  the  succeeding  crops. 


PEOCEEDINGS. 


59 


Impoverished  rice  land  is  particularly  susceptible  of  improvement  from 
manure — as  may  be  often  seen  where  fields  are  so  situated  as  to  receive  the 
washings  by  rain  of  adjacent  corn  or  potatoe  fields  annually  manured  with 
rice  straw,  and  it  is  more  lasting  in  its  effects  than  might  be  supposed,  as  is 
proved  by  the  marked  difference  in  rice  growing  in  fields  where  cattle  pens 
or  feeding  troughs  had  been  placed,  often  many  years  before. 

With  great  regard, 

EDWARD  T.  HERIOT. 


Wednesday,  Nov.  29,  1843. 

The  Society  convened,  the  following  letter  was  read  to  the  Society  by  the 
President : 

Charleston,  Nov.  27th,  1343. 

Dear  Sir, 

At  the  suggestion  of  several  planters,  I have  partly  concluded  to  de- 
liver a few  lectures  on  Agricultural  Chemistry,  beginning  with  familiar  in- 
struction in  these  general  chemical  principles,  which  it  is  necessary  to  under- 
stand, in  order  to  appreciate  fully  the  science  of  agriculture,  and  the  various 
changes  that  take  place  in  plants  during  their  growth,  I now  address  your 
Society,  through  you,  to  ascertain  what  success  such  an  undertaking  might 
meet  with,  and  during  what  month  it  would  be  advisable,  to  deliver  the  lec- 
tures. The  month  of  February  has  been  proposed. 

Yours  repectfully, 

J.  LAURENCE  SMITH. 

To  the  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook. 

E.  G.  Palmer,  in  the  absence  of  the  Chairman  of  the  committee  of  nine, 
presented  the  following  report : 

The  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  Mr.  Palmer’s  resolution  to  reorgan- 
ize this  Society  upon  a more  permanent  basis,  beg  leave  to  report  that  they' 
have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and  do  recommend,  that,  in  future, 
the  funds  of  the  Society  shall  be  raised  by  the  annual  subscriptions  of  its 
members  ; and  by  an  annual  contribution  of  five  dollars  by  each  of  the  Dis- 
trict  and  Parish  Societies — and  that  the  Secretary  of  this  Society,  be  instruct- 
ed to  communicate  a copy  of  this  resolution  to  the  local  Societies  throughout 
the  State,  and  requesting  their  concurrence. 

Resolved,  That  if  the  funds  of  this  Society  will  permit,  the  President  be 
authorized  to  offer  premiums  for  stock  for  the  ensuing  year. 


60 


AGRICULTURAL 


These  resolutions  were  sustained  by  Mr.  Palmer,  Dr.  Davis,  Mr.  Rhett, 
Col.  Davis,  Mr.  Brown,  and  unanimously  agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Rhett,  the  President  was  called  on  to  read  his  essay  on 
the  Cotton  plant ; which  was  forthwith  read. 

After  which,  Mr.  Roper,  of  Charleston,  moved, 

That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  tendered  to  the  President  of  this  Socie- 
ty, for  his  able  and  interesting  history  of  the  Cotton  plant,  and  its  introduction 
into  the  State — displaying  much  classic  lore  and  great  literary  and  statistical 
research  ; and  that  the  report  be  printed  in  Pamphlet  form,  for  general  infor- 
mation. Agreed  to. 

The  committees  appointed  to  make  the  awards  on  the  stock  exhibited  fur 
premiums,  were  now  called  on,  and  made  the  following  reports — on  Horses  : 

The  committee  or  Horses,  beg  leave  to  report,  that,  after  minutely  examin- 
ing the  largest  and  finest  selection  of  Horses  ever  before  presented  to  this 
Society,  that  they  award  as  follows : 

For  the  finest  Stallion,  for  Saddle  purposes,  they  award  the  premium  to 
Col.  W.  Hampton,  for  his  Imported  Bay  Horse,  Monarch. 

For  the  finest  Mare,  for  Saddle  purposes,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  his  Ches- 
nut  Mare,  Fanny. 

For  the  finest  male  or  female  under  3 years  old,  for  Saddle  purposes,  to 
Col.  Hampton,  for  his  B.  Bay  Filly,  by  Monarch. 

For  the  finest  Stallion,  for  Harness  purposes,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  Mon- 
arch. 

For  the  finest  Mare,  for  Harness  purposes,  to  Col.  Hampton,  for  Fanny. 

For  the  finest  male  or  female,  under  3 years  old,  for  Harness  purposes,  to 
B.  F.  Taylor,  tor  his  Chesnut  filly,  by  Monarch. 

Apart  from  the  high  estimation  in  which  several  competing  animals  were 
held,  particularly  Mr.  Gamble’s  Emancipation  and  Dr.  Toland's  Mare,  had 
some  hesitancy  in  deciding  against  them. 

Respectfully, 

J.  WRIGHT,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Mules,  ask  leave  to  report  that  there  were  27  Mules  exhib- 
ited, which  were  raised  in  the  Slate,  another  foaled  in  Kentucky,  reared  and 
broken  in  Carolina,  was  driven  on  the  ground  by  Mr.  Cochrelle,  of  Fairfield. 
This  although  an  animal  worthy  of  special  notice,  was^eemed  as  not  enter- 
ing the  list  of  competitors,  not  being  strictly  a native  of  this  State. 

To  Col.  Jonathan  Davis,  of  Fairfield,  has  been  awarded  the  first  premium 
for  exhibiting  the  best  Mule  over  3 years  old. 

To  Hon.  J.  M.  Felder,  of  Orangeburgh,  for  the  best  Mule  under  3 years 
old. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


61 


This  exhibition  was  a very  creditable  one.  Coi.  Davis  had  a R.oad  Wagon 
on  the  ground,  to  which  was  hitched  an  entire  Team,  (5  in  number,)  of  his 
own  raising. 

Major  Felder  exhibited  19  Mules  two  years  old,  3 of  which  were  very  good, 

3 yearlings  and  9 sucklings. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Cattle  beg  leave  to  report,  that,  after  a thorough  examb 
nation  of  the  stock  exhibited,  they  award  the  premiums  as  follows  : 

To  Col.  Hampton,  for  the  best  Miicli  Cow. 

To  Col.  Cockrelle,  for  the  second  best  Cow. 

To  Dr.  'Poland,  for  the  best  Heifer  under  three  years  old. 

To  Col.  Hampton,  for  the  second  best  Heifer,  under  three  years  old. 

To  Col.  John  Davis,  for  the  best  Bull. 

To  B.  F.  Taylor,  for  the  best  Bull  under  3 years  old 
Respectfully  submitted, 

THOMAS  STARK,  Chairman . 

The  committee  on  Sheep,  report  that  Col.  W.  Hampton  was  the  only  compet- 
itor for  the  premiums  for  Sheep;  but  that  the  stock  exhibited  by  him  sustained 
the  high  character  of  the  Bakewelis,  and,  in  every  respect,  merited  the  pre- 
miums awarded  for  the  best  Ram,  best  Ewe,  and  best  pair  of  Lambs. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

E,  G.  PALMER,  Chairman. 


The  committee  on  Hogs  beg  leave  to  report,  that  there  weie  exhibited,  by 
Col.  Hampton,  Dr.  Parker  and  Col.  Cockrelle,  several  fine  specimens  of  the 
Berkshire,  and  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  size  by  Mr,  Gamble,  of  Fairfield, 


To  Col.  Hampton  is  awarded  the  premium  for  the  best  Buar, 

To  Col.  Cockrelle,  for  the  best  Sow. 

To  Dr.  Parker,  for  the  best  pair  of  Pigs, 

Respectfully  submitted, 

W M,  J.  ALSTON,  Chairman ,,- 


All  of  which  were  received. 


Mr.  A.  H.  Boykin  moved, 

That  a committee  of  nine  be  appointed  to  nominate  Officers  for  the  ensuing 


AGRICULTURAL 


year,  and  report  to-morrow  evening  to  this  Society.  Agreed  to,  and  the  fol- 
lowing were  appointed: 

A.  H.  BOYKIN, 

J.  B.  GRIMBAL, 
j.  McCarthy, 

Gen.  BUCHANAN, 

R.  W.  ROPER, 

J.  G.  BROWN, 

, R.  F.  W.  ALSTON, 

J.  M.  FELDER, 

Dr.  DOUGLAS. 

Dr.  Douglas  moved, 

That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  publish,  in  the  Temperance  Advocate 
and  the  Southern  Agriculturist,  the  Constitution  of  the  State  Agricultural  So* 
ciety.  Agreed  to. 

The  Society  adjourned  till  half  past  six  to-morrow. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


Thursday,  Nov.  30,  1S43. 

The  proceedings  of  the  last  meeting  were  read,  and  a letter  from  his  Ex-* 
cellency  James  H.  Hammond,  was  read  ; also  one  from  R.  Russell. 

Mr.  A.  H.  Boykin,  Chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  to  nominate  Of* 
fleers  for  the  ensuing  year,  made  the  following  nomination  : 

Hon.  WHITEMARSH  B.  SEABROOK,  President. 


Chancellor  B.  F.  DUNK1N, 

1st  Vice  President. 

Chancellor  HARPER, 

2d  V. 

P, 

WHITFIELD  BROOKS, 

3d  V. 

P. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’NEALL, 

4th  V. 

P. 

Gen’l  J.  GILLESPIE, 

5th  V. 

P. 

Hon.  J.  M.  FELDER, 

6th  V. 

P. 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  JAS.  B.  DAVlS,  Recording  Secretary. 

R.  W.  ROPER,  of  Charleston,  Anniversary  Orator, 

Which  was  unanimously  received. 

The  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook  addressed  the  meeting  at  some  length,  and 
again  took  his  seat,  as  the  presiding  Officer  for  the  next  year. 

Hon.  F.  II.  Elmore  moved, 

That  the  President  of  this  Society  is  requested  to  prepare,  at  his  leisure, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


and  as  his  health  and  other  pursuits  will  permit,  a memoir  on  the  subject  of 
our  institution  of  slavery-giving  a history  of  its  introduction  and  progress 
down  to  the  termination  of  the  slave  trade  under  the  Constitution,  and  its  do- 
mestic bearings,  down  to  the  time  he  concludes  his  memoir,  with  the  changes 
and  ameliorations,  in  its  condition  : its  influence  and  effects  on  our  agricultural, 
mechanic  and  manufacturing  interests;  also,  upon  our  domestic,  social  and 
political  relations. 

Mr.  Elmore  sustained  this  with  much  earnestness;  and,  when  put,  was 
unanimously  adopted. 

Mr.  Rhett  moved, 

That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  returned  to  Wm.  J.  Taylor,  for  his  able 
ami  eminently  practical  address, 

Resolved,  That  he  be  requested  to  furnish  the  Society  with  a copy  for  pub- 
lication. Agreed  to. 

The  awards  were  made  to  the  successful  competitors,  in  the  usual  imposing 
manner  by  the  President. 

Several  specimens  of  domestic  Silk  were  exhibited.  One  from  Miss  Flem- 
ing,  of  Spartanburgh,  and  another  from  Mrs.  Baskins,  of  Abbeville  District : 
to  each  of  whom,  by  motion  of  J.  G.  Brown,  the  Secretary  was  ordered  to 
furnish  a Silver  Cup,  of  the  value  of  five  dollars,  suitably  inscribed. 

The  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neail  moved, 

That  a semi-annual  meeting  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  be  held  on 
the  2d  Wednesday  in  September  next,  at  Greenville,  (S.  C.)  That  the  Pre- 
sident be  requested  to  call  the  attention  of  the  local  Societies  to  the  subject 
and  request  them  to  send  their  delegates ; and  that,  at  that  meeting,  premi- 
ums be  offered  on  all  the  subjects  heretofore  giyen. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  sustained  this  resolution  at  length,  advocating  it  as  not  in 
contemplation  to  be  partial ; but  if  the  experiment  be  successful,  to  go  on 
throughout  the  State,  &c. 

The  resolutions  were  flatteringly  sustained  by  several,  and  unanimously 
adopted. 

Dr.  Davis  then  moved, 

That  an  executive  committee  of  nine  be  appointed  by  the  President,  to  ar- 
range  the  premiums,  at  the  Greenville  exhibition,  in  consonance  with  the  re- 
solutions proposed  and  adopted  by  the  committee  of  nine,  on  the  evening  of 
the  28th,  as  nearly  as  practicable. 

Dr.  Davis  stated,  that  the  awards  proposed  by  that  committee,  to  be  dis- 
tributed at  our  next  exhibition,  would  not  suit  but  one  or  two  productions  of 
this  year,  and  the  Domestic  Fabrics  with  stock. 

This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  President,  on  motion  of  Mr.  Allston,  appoint- 
ed the  nine  Officers  of  the  Society. 


64 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  Society  then  adjourned  to  meet  in  Greenville, ’on  the  second  Wednes- 
day in  September,  1844, 

JAS.  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 
The  following  are  the  committee  for  next  year: 

ON  COTTON. 

Whitfield  Brooks,  Edgefield;  Gen.  J.  FI.  Means,  Fairfield;  Wm.  K- 
C-lowney,  Union;  Paul  Grimbal,  Colleton;  J.  Douglas,  Chester;  A.  H. 
Boykin,  Kershaw  ; J.  Fielding,  St.  Lukes. 

ON  COEN. 

Wm.  K,  Davis,  Fairfield;  J.  M.  Felder,  Orangeburgh;  B.  F.  Taylor, 
Richland  ; Gilbert  Geddes,  St.  Andrews;  J.  G.  Brown,  Barnwell. 

ON  RICE. 

R.  F.  W.  Allston,  Winyaw  ; J.  B.  Grimbal,  St.  Pauls  ; J.  Ferguson,  S'.- 
John’s  Berkly ; Joshua  Ward,  All  Saints;  lion.  B.  F.  Dunkin,  All  Saints. 

ON  SMALL  GRAIN. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neal],  Newberry ; Gen.  J.  Gillespie,  Marlborough;  E.  G 
Palmer,  Fairfield;  Dr.  Douglas,  Chester ; Judge  Butler,  Edgefield. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  deliver  an  address  at  the  Greenville 
meeting. 

The  following  are  the  Presiding  Officers  of  the  several  Agricultural  Soci- 
eties  iu  the  Districts  and  Parishes: 

1.  Agricultural  Society  of  St.  Johns  Colleton,  Wm.  G.  Barnard,  President. 

2.  Fairfield  Agricultural  Society,  at  Winsborough,  E.  G.  Palmer. 

8.  Monticello  Planter’s  Society,  J.  H.  Means. 

4.  Barnwell  Agicultural  Society,  Hon.  A.  Patterson. 

5.  St.  Lukes  Agricultural  Society,  Dr.  J.  Fickling. 

6.  St.  Andrews  Ag.  So.,  W.  Lawton. 

7.  Stono  and  Ashly  Ag.  So.,  St.  Andrews,  Wm.  Brisbane. 

8.  Indian  Land  Ag.  So.,  York,  Dr.  A.  Barron. 

9.  Winyaw  and  All  Saints  Ag.  So.  John  H.  Tucker. 

10  Wateree  Agr.  So. 

11.  Peedee  Ag.  So. 

12.  Chester  Ag.  So. 

13.  Fishing  Creek  Ag.  So- 

14.  Cambridge  Ag.  So. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


65 


Greenville,  So.  Ca.  ) 

Sept.  10,  1844.  $ 

The  State  Agricultural  Society  met  at  Greenville,  as  ordered  by  the  meet- 
ing of  December  last- 

The  President  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and  the  Society  being  organ- 
ized, Col.  Allston  introduced  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Resolution,  passed  in  Nov.  1840,  requiring  the  pay- 
ment of  an  “ entrance  fee,”  on  the  part  of  competitors  for  the  premiums  of 
the  Society,  not  being  members,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby  annulled  ; and 
that  the  premiums  of  this  Society  shall  hereafter  be  held  open  to  present 
competitors. 

This  motion  was  discussed  by  Mr.  Allston,  Col.  Brooks,  Dr.  Gibbes,  Mr. 
McBee  and  Gen.  Thompson,  and  was  finally  adopted,  with  the  following 
amendment,  proposed  by  Gen.  Thompson: 

That  the  premiums  of  the  Society  shall  be  free  to  all  members,  either  of 
the  State  or  local  Society.  All  others  shall  pay  one  dollar  for  the  privilege 
of  competing  for  said  premiums. 

Mr.  Roper  then  introduced  the  following  resolutions: 

1.  Resolved,  That  a combined  system  of  Agriculture,  Manufactures  and 
Commerce,  are  essential  in  promoting  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  a com- 
munity. 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  large  extent  of  country  opened  and  preparing  for 
the  culture  of  Cotton,  in  the  Western  and  Southern  States,  and  the  superior 
adaption  of  the  soil  to  Cotton,  and  other  motives,  render  it  imperative  for  the 
Farmers  of  South  Carolina  to  resort  to  a more  varied  means  of  promoting 
their  individual  and  the  general  welfare. 

3 Resolved.  That  to  accomplish  this  purpose,  we  recommend  a system  of 
Household  Manufactures  in  every  article,  where  domestic  skill  can  be  made 
available.  We  recommend  the  raising  of  our  own  Flour,  Bacon  and  Stock, 
with  an  abundant  Grain  and  Hay  crop,  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  them, 
together,  with  provisions  and  supplies  of  all  kinds. 

4.  Resolved,  That  a scientific  mode  of  culture,  with  the  application  of 
manures,  which  in  all  civilized  countries  have  become  objects  of  national  di- 
rection, will  greatly  advance  our  prosperity  ; and  that  a memorial  be  sent 
from  this  society  to  the  Legislature,  praying  a continuance  of  the  system  of 
Agricultural  and  Geological  surveys,  till  the  whole  State  be  scientifically  ex- 
plored, and  the  domestic  resources  of  the  country  fully  developed.  And 
further,  we  recommend  to  all  Farmers  the  advantage  of  consulting  the  Agri- 
cultural  and  Geological  surveyor,  as  to  the  nature  of  their  soils  and  best 
means  of  increasing  their  fertility  and  adaptation  to  raising  a greater  variety 
of  products  than  are,  at  present  cultivated. 

5 


66 


AGRICULTURAL 


These  resolutions  were  discussed  by  Mr.  Roper,  Gen.  Thompson,  Dr. 
Gibbes,  Hon.  J.  R.  Poinsett  and  Col.  Perry,  and  adopted;  and  the  following 
committee  appointed  to  petition  the  Legislature  accordingly,  viz : 

R.  W.  ROPER, 

Dr.  GIBBES, 

V.  McBEE. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  Alston  introduced  the  following  as  alterations  of  the  Constitu- 
tion  ; which  he  wished  laid  on  the  table  for  the  present. 

1st.  The  objects  of  this  Society  shall  be,  to  improve  the  condition  of  ag. 
riculture,  horticulture,  and  the  household  arts. 

2d.  The  Society  shall  consist  of  such  citizens  of  the  State,  as  shall  signi- 
fy, in  writing,  their  wish  to  become  members  ; and  shall  pay,  on  subscribing, 
the  sum  of  three  dollars,  and  annually  thereafter  three  dollars  ; and  also  of 
honorary  and  corresponding  members. 

3d.  The  President  of  the  District  or  local  Societies,  or  a number  of  dele- 
gates, not  exceeding  five  from  each  society,  shall  be  received  as  members  ex 
officio,  and  to  have  one  vote.  The  payment  of  fifty  dollars,  or  more,  shall 
constitute  a member  for  life,  and  shall  exempt  the  donor  from  annual  contri- 
butions. 

And  in  substitution  of  the  13th  and  14th  sections  : 

The  Officers  of  this  Society,  viz:  the  President,  the  Vice  Presidents,  the 
Secretaries  and  Treasurer,  together  with  three  additional  members,  shall 
constitute  an  executive  committee,  of  whom  three  shall  constitute  a Quorum, 
who  shall  take  charge  of,  preserve  or  distribute  all  seeds  or  plants,  books, 
models,  &c.,  which  may  be  transmitted  to  the  Society ; and  shall  also  have 
charge  of  all  communications  intended  for  publication ; and,  so  far  as  they 
may  deem  expedient,  shall  collect,  arrange  and  publish  the  same,  in  such 
manner  and  form  as  they  shall  deem  best  calculated  to  promote  the  objects 
of  the  Society. 

The  executive  committee  shall  designate  the  time  when,  and  the  place 
where,  in  the  several  sections  of  the  State,  the  annual  Cattle  Show  and  Fair 
of  the  Society  shall  be  held,  and  shall  make  the  necessary  arrangements 
therefor. 

On  motion,  it  was  agreed  that  the  exhibition  should  take  place  at  ten  o’clock 
on  to-morrow,  and  the  Oration  at  one  o’clock. 

The  following  were  appointed  as  the  committees  to  make  the  awards  : 

ON  HORSES. 

Dr.  O.  B.  Irvine,  Greenville;  R.  F.  W.  Allston,  All  Saints  ; E.  C.  Leit- 
ner,  Spartanburgh  ; Paul  Hamilton,  Pendleton ; Dr.  A.  G.  Verdier,  St. 
Lukes;  B.  H.  Wilson,  All  Saints:  Isadore  Lartigue,  St.  Peters  Ag.  So.  ; 
Thos.  Henderson,  Newberry. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


67 


ON  CATTLE. 

Hon.  J.  R.  Poinsett,  All  Saints ; Jas.  B.  Davis,  Columbia ; Whitfield 
Brooks,  Edgefield;  Writ.  Summer,  Newberry;  G.  R.  McCullough,  Abbe- 
ville ; Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  Newberry. 

ON  MULES. 

Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  Columbia  ; Henry  Parr,  Fairfield  ; B.  Statham,  Green- 
ville; Wm.  Walker,  Spartanburgh  ; R.  W.  Roper,  Charleston. 

ON  HOGS. 

George  Seaborne,  Pendleton;  Col.  John  Glenn,  Newberry;  V.  McBee, 
Greenville;  Sam’l  Earle,  Greenville;  George  Nicholls,  Spartanburgh;  S. 
M.  Wilson,  Pendleton. 

ON  SHEEP. 

B.  Dunham,  Greenville;  John  Rivers,  St.  Andrews;  B.  F.  Perry,  Green- 
ville; Rev.  Wm.  Potter,  Pendleton;  Samuel  Clark,  Edgefield;  James  A. 
Black,  York  ; M.  Suber,  Newberry. 


Wednesday,  Sept.  11,  1844. 

The  Society  met  at  ten  o’clock,  and  the  meeting  being  organized  by  the 
President,  the  Secretary  read  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  of  the  10th. 

The  Hon.  J.  B.  OINeall  introduced  the  following  resolution  ; which  was 
unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  the  President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  be  request- 
ed  to  present  to  Mr.  Edmund  Ruffin,  late  Agricultural  Surveyor  of  the  State, 
the  thanks  of  this  Society,  for  the  able  and  efficient  discharge  of  his  duty. 

Col.  Brooks,  of  Edgefield,  introduced  the  following: 

Resolved , That  the  Agricultural  Societies  of  Greenville,  Pendleton  and 
Spartanburgh,  be  respectfully  requested  to  reply  to  the  following  queries  at 
the  next  meeting  of  this  Society  in  Columbia,  on  the  fourth  Monday  in  No- 
vember : 

1st.  What  is  the  nature  and  kind  of  soils  in  your  respective  Districts? 
What  are  the  principal  products  ? What  modes  of  cultivation  are  in  use? 

2d.  What  are  the  usual  rotations  of  crops  in  practice  ? What  manures 
are  in  use,  and  in  what  way  applied — whether  broadcast,  in  checks,  or  drill  ? 

3d.  What  agricultural  implements  are  in  general  use  ? What  kind  are 
used  in  seeding  small  grain,  what  in  the  preparation  of  lairds,  and  what  in  the 
cultivation  of  Corn  and  Cotton. 

4th.  What  are  the  favorite  breeds  of  Horses,  Cattle,  Sheep  and  Swine, 


68 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  how  is  the  district  supplied  with  these  domestic  animals?  How  are  they 
wintered,  and  what  grasses  are  used  for  hay? 

5th.  What  fruits  are  cultivated,  and  what  is  the  condition  of  the  Ilorticul- 
lure  of  the  District  ? 

6 th.  Are  there  any  Dairy  and  Grazing  Farms  in  the  District,  where 
Cheese  and  Butter  are  made  for  Market? 

7th.  What  effect  is  produced  upon  the  Agriculture  of  the  District  by  the 
practice  of  leasing  land  upon  shares,  and  what  agricultural  changes  are  ne- 
cessary to  advance  the  prosperity  of  the  District? 

8th.  Are  root  crops  for  stock  cultivated?  And  if  not,  be  pleased  to  state 
the  cause. 

9th.  State  the  average  annual  crops  of  Cotton  in  each  District,  and  the 
probable  average  per  acre  ? 

10th.  If  there  be  any  manufactures  in  your  District,  communicate  the  num- 
ber and  kind,  the  number  of  hands  employed  in  each,  the  quantity  of  the  raw 
material  used  in  the  Cotton  Factories,  and,  especially,  the  profits  of  each  es- 
tablishment of  whatever  kind,  and  such  other  information  as  it  may  be  con- 
venient  to  furnish,  or,  important  to  the  Society. 

11th.  Is  there  Marl  or  Lime  in  your  District  ? If  so,  is  it  used  for  agri- 
cultural purposes,  and  what  the  cost  per  bushel  to  the  Farmer? 

These  resolutions  were  advocated  by  the  mover,  and  agreed  to. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  Allston’s  proposed  amendments  to  the  Constitution  were  now 
called  up,  separately  put,  and  agreed  to  by  the  constitutional  majority. 

A Silken  Flag,  manufactured  by  the  Misses  Flemming’s,  of  Spartanburg!), 
and  painted  by  a native  Artist,  (Mr.  Wm.  K.  Barckley,  of  Columbia,)  lately 
presented  to  the  36th  Regiment,  was  exhibited  to  the  Society. 

Two  specimens  of  coloured  and  figured  Silk,  manufactured  by  Mrs.  Dantz- 
ler,  of  Spartanburgh,  were  exhibited.  Mrs.  Belcher  presented  a Straw  Bon- 
net and  Hat,  made  by  herself. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  that  the 
thanks  of  this  Society  be  tendered  to  each  of  these  Ladies,  for  the  skill, 
taste  and  elegance  of  their  several  specimens,  and  to  Mr.  Barckley  for  his 
skill  as  an  artist. 

Mrs.  Poinsett  presented,  through  the  Hon.  J.  R.  Poinsett,  to  the  Society, 
some  Baskets  of  Grapes,  grown  in  her  Garden  ; which,  on  motion,  a commit- 
tee was  nominated,  of  venerable  Bachelors,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Dunham, 
Stone  and  Goodlett,  to  hand  around  for  distribution  to  the  Ladies  in  the  Gal- 
lery, and  return  thanks  to  Mrs.  Poinsett. 

Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes, ..brought  the  attention  'of  the  Society  to  a resolution, 
adopted  some  time*since  by  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  to  sustain  an  Agri- 
cultural Paper,  proposed  to  be  issued  by  Mr.  Morgan,  publisher  of  the  Tern- 


PROCEEDID'IS. 


G9 


perance  Advocate,  in  Columbia.  He  stated  the  necessity  of  this  Paper,  its 
remarkable  cheapness,  and  the  advantages  likely  to  result  from  its  support. 

-Mr.  Smith,  of  Laurens,  exhibited  a Plough,  called  a labour  saving  plough, 
and  the  following  committee  were  appointed  to  examine  its  advantages : — 
Chancellor  Johnston,  W.  Statham,  Col.  Glenn,  W.  Banks  and  B.  Dunkin  ; 
and  the  Chairman  reported  favorably  of  it. 

The  committee  having  examined  minutely  all  the  stock,  which  was  highly 
encouraging  to  the  Society,  were  now  ready  and  called  upon,  reported  their 
awards  as  follows  : 

The  committee  on  Horses  beg  leave  to  report,  that  the  exhibition  of  Horses 
was  highly  creditable  and  gratifying,  giving  promise-  of  an  extensive  and 
material  improvement  in  the  stock,  of  this  section  of  the  State. 

Your  committee  award  the  premium, 

For  the  best  Stallion  over  5 years  old,  for  saddle  purposes,  to  J.  T.  Whit- 
field, of  Pendleton,  for  his  bay  horse,  by  Bertrand,  dam  Blackburn’s  Whip, 
(bred  by  himself.) 

For  the  best  Stallion  under  5 years  old,  to  Samuel  Earle,  for  his  yearling, 
by  Monarch,  dam  by  Nullifier,  (bred  by  himself.) 

For  the  best  Mare  or  Filly  under  5 years  old,  to  Gen.  Thompson’s  Ches- 
nut  Mare,  4 years  old,  by  John  Bascom,  darn  by  Red  Guantlett,  (bred  by  him- 
self.) 

Your  committee  particularly  recommend  Mr.  Leverett’s  Filly.  Fanny  Els- 
ler,  as  an  animal  next  to  that  taking  the  award. 

O.  B.  IRVINE,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Cattle,  having  examined  the  many  fine  animals  submit- 
mifted  to  their  inspection,  have  unanimously  agreed  to  the  following  awards  : 

The  premium  for  the  best  Bull,  over  1 year  old,  to  Dr.  Stone,  of  Green- 
ville, for  his  Durham,  bred  by  himself.  At  the  same  time,  the  committee  are 
of  opinion,  a Bull,  exhibited  by  Mr.  Moore,  deserves  a favorable  notice. 

The  premium  for  the  best  Bull,  under  one  year  old,  is  given  to  Col.  E.  C. 
Leitner,  for  a Durham,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  Milch  Cow,  to  V.  McBee,  fora  native  Cow,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  Heifer,  under  one  year  old,  to  Samuel  Earle,  for  a Durham, 
bred  by  Col.  Hampton. 

J.  R.  POINSETT,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Mules,  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  considered  the 
merits  of  the  Mules  offered  for  the  premiums,  and  have  unanimously  awarded 
it  to  Mr.  E.  Earle,  of  Greenville,  for  his  Mule,  one  year  old  and  four  months. 

R.  W.  GIBBES,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Hogs,  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  diligently  ex- 


70 


AGRICULTURAL 


amined  a very  large  number  of  various  breeds  of  Hogs,  and  most  highly 
creditable  to  any  country. 

For  the  best  Boar,  over  one  year  old,  they  award  to  Maj.  J.  M.  A.  Tur- 
pin, for  a Berkshire  and  Lancashire  cross — not  without  a most  favorable  no- 
tice of  a strong  competitor  in  a Berkshire,  the  property  of  Hon.  J.  R.  Poin- 
sett. 

For  the  best  Sow,  over  one  year  old,  to  Dr.  Stone,  Berkshire. 

For  the  best  Boar,  under  one  year  old,  to  Dr.  Crook,  Berkshire. 

For  the  best  Sow,  under  one  year  old,  to  Col.  Ploke,  Berkshire. 

GEORGE  SEABORNE,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Sheep,  make  the  following  report  : 

They  have  examined  three  pens  of  Sheep,  belonging  to  Dr.  Crook,  Mr. 
Earle  and  Mr.  Stone ; whilst  they  would  recommend,  most  favorably,  all  ex- 
hibited. They  award  as  follows  : 

For  the  best  Ram,  to  Dr.  Crook — Bakewell  and  Southdown,  (bred  by  Col. 
Hampton.) 

For  the  best  Ewe,  to  S.  M.  Earle — Bakewell,  (bred  by  Col.  Hampton. 

B.  DUNHAM,  Chairman. 

These  reports  were  severally  received,  and  the  President  made  the  distri- 
butions. 

Plon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  was  new  culled  upon,  and  made  his  address,  and,  on 
motion  of  Gen.  Thompson,  the  Society  returned  him  thanks  for  its  ability, 
and  requested  its  publication  ; which  was  so  agreed. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  Hon.  J.  R.  Poinsett  was  requested  to 
take  the  Chair  of  the  President,  and, 

Col.  Brooks  introduced  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  returned  to  the  President,  for 
his  ability  and  impartiality  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties,  and  to  the  Secreta- 
ry, for  his  diligence  in  the  discharge  of  his  labours. 

The  President,  resuming  the  Chair,  responded  to  this  compliment  with 
much  feeling,  and  took  his  Chair.  The  Secretary  added,  “ That  he  would 
only  say,  no  occupation  in  Ins  life  afforded  him  so  much  pleasure,  as  the  dis- 
charge of  his  duties  as  Secretary. 

On  motion  of  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall, 

Resolved , That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  made  to  Mr.  Smith,  for  his 
labour  saving  Plough,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  favorable  notice  of 
the  Farmers. 

Dr.  Gibbes  moved, 

That  the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  returned  to  the  Methodist  Church,  for 
the  use  of  their  building. 


JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


71 


Columbia,  November  25,  1844. 

The  delegates  having  enrolled  themselves,  the  Society  was  organized  by 
the  Presidant,  and  proceeded  to  business. 

The  alteration  of  the  Constitution,  requiring  the  formation  of  an  Execu- 
tive Committee,  composed  of  the  officers  of  the  Society  and  three  members, 
was  called  to  the  attention  of  the  Society,  and  on  motion  the  President  ap- 
pointed Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  Hon.  F.  W.  Pickens  and  R.  W.  Roper,  as  the 
committee,  with  the  officers. 

The  following  documents  were  presented  to  the  Society,  and  respectively 
referred  to  the  Executive  Committee,  and  the  committees  appropriated  for 
each. 

The  Black  Oak  Agricultural  Society,  forwarded  a report  of  one  of  their 
committees  on  Manures. 

A report  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  Cambridge  Agricultural 
Society. 

The  YVateree  Agricultural  Society,  sent  a report  on  Potatoes,  also  one  on 
Corn,  to  be  referred  to  the  committees  of  awards,  on  Potatoes  and  Corn. 

From  the  Newberry  Agricultural  Society,  praying  that  the  next  meeting 
of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  be  held  in  the  village  of  Newberry. 

A document  containing  marling  facts  and  estimates  from  Edmund  Ruffin, 
late  Agricultural  Surveyor  of  South  Carolina. 

The  entire  proceedings  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society,  was 
forwarded  through  Col.  A.  G.  Summer,  together  with  sundry  documents  rela- 
tive to  the  diffusion  of  agricultural  knowledge. 

Mr.  M’Carthy  moved, 

That  the  thanks  of  this  Society,  be  tendered  to  the  officers  of  the  State 
Agricultural  Society  of  New  York,  for  the  volumes  and  documents  relating 
to  agricultural  subjects  which  they  have  presented  to  this  Society,  and  that 
the  Secretary,  be  hereby  instructed  to  present  copies  of  similar  publications 
and  documents  of  this  Society,  to  the  officers  of  the  aforesaid  State  Agri- 
cultural Society  of  New  York. 

A communication  was  presented  from  F.  D.  Quash,  Corresponding  Sec- 
retary of  the  South  Carolina  Society,  asking  the  aid  of  the  State  Agricul- 
tural Society,  in  petitioning  the  Legislature  for  the  continuance  of  the  Agri- 
cultural Survey  of  the  State. 

Also,  a letter  from  Edmund  Ruffin,  in  reply  to  one  from  the  President  re- 
turning the  thanks  of  this  Society  to  him,  for  his  services  as  Agricultural 
Surveyor  of  the  State. 

Also,  a letter  from  R.  W.  Alston,  concerning  the  account  of  an  experi- 
ment in  the  culture  of  rice,  and  the  production  of  an  acre. 

Also,  one  from  A,  H.  Seabrook,  one  of  the  competitors  for  the  premium 


72 


AGRICULTURAL 


for  the  greatest  amount  of  Sea  Island  Cotton,  having  reference  to  quality  and 
valuation. 

Also,  one  from  W.  Wright  of  York,  a competitor  from  York,  for  the  pre- 
mium for  the  greatest  amount  of  Wheat  per  acre. 

Also,  one  from  D.  J.  Mesuain  of  York,  for  the  premium,  for  the  greatest 
amount  of  Corn  per  acre. 

The  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  presented  the  following,  as  an  amendment  to  one 
of  similar  purport,  offered  by  Mr.  Roper. 

Resolved,  That  an  application  be  made  by  the  President  to  the  Legisla- 
ture, requesting  them  to  make  an  appropriation  equal  in  amount  to  the  sum 
contributed  by  the  members  and  delegates  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society, 
to  be  by  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  expended  in  premiums  at  its  semi- 
annual and  annual  meetings,  and  for  such  other  agricultural  purposes,  as 
they  may  think  proper. 

This  motion  was  discussed  by  Col.  Edwards,  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  Mr. 
M'Carthy,  and  agreed  to. 

Dr.  Gibbes  communicated  that  the  committee  appointed  at  the  last  meeting 
of  the  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  memorializing  the  Legislature  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  Agricultural  and  Geological  Survey,  respectfully  report  that 
they  have  discharged  the  duty,  and.  that  the  memorial  is  prepared  and  ready 
to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature. 

The  President  called  the  attention  of  the  Society,  to  a communication  ad- 
dressed to  the  Hon.  George  McDuffie,  W.  McWillie  and  W.  B.  Seabrook, 
from  Col.  F.  W.  Davie. 

Lion.  J.  B.  O’Neall  moved 

That  a committee  of  five  be  appointed  with  the  President  as  chairman,  to 
to  report  upon  this  communication  at  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  this  Society. 

The  following  were  accordingly  appointed  : George  McDuffie,  W.  Me 
Willie,  J.  B.  O’Neall  and  William  J.  Alston. 

The  Society  adjourned  till  seven  o’clock,  Tuesday  evening. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretaiy. 


Tuesday  Evening,  Nov.  25,  7 o’clock. 
The  Society  convened  as  ordered,  and  the  proceedings  were  read  by  the 
Secretary. 

The  President  announced  the  following  committees  : 

FOR  THE  BEST  CULTIVATED  FARM. 

J.  B.  O’Neall,  Newberry ; L.  A.  Beckham,  Chester ; E,  G.  Palmer, 
Fairfield ; Wm.  Cain,  Black  Oak ; J.  Lartigue. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


78 


SHORT  STAPLE  COTTON. 

John  FI.  Means,  Fairfield;  Joel  Smith,  Abbeville;  Thomas  FI.  Pope 
Newberry;  Wm.  J.  Taylor,  Kershaw. 

LONG  STAPLE  COTTON. 

John  Rivers,  St.  Andrews;  J.  Fielding,  St.  Lukes;  Dr.  P.  Palmer 
St  John’s  Berkley  ; Wm.  M.  Murray,  St.  John’s  Colleton. 

ON  RICE. 

R.  W.  Roper,  St.  Philip  and  St.  Michaels;  P.  W.  Frazer,  Prince  George  ; 
John  Plarleston,  St  Johns  Berkley. 

CORN  AND  OTHER  GRAIN. 

R.  F.  W.  Allston,  Prince  George  ; Edward  Plarleston,  Anderson  ; W. 
McWillie,  Kershaw;  J.  M.  Felder,  Orangeburg;  A.  Ilibbin,  Christ  Church. 
P.  8.  Brooks,  Edgefield. 

POTATOES. 

Dr.  P.  Palmer,  St.  John’s  Berkley;  R.  A.  Maxwell,  Anderson  ; A.  G. 
Summer,  Newberry;  A.  L.  Griffin,  Edgefield,  Paul  Grimball,  St.  John’s 
Colleton ; B.  B.  Porter. 

SILK. 

Wm.  Summer,  Newberry;  Samuel  Earle,  Greenville;  W.  G.  Simms, 
Barnwell ; W.  Giles,  York  ; E.  P.  Smith,  Spartanburg. 

DOMESTIC  FABRICS. 

Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  Columbia;  B.  F.  Perry,  Greenville  ; W.  J.  Alston, 
Fairfield;  F.  W.  Pickens,  Edgefield;  Dr.  Guilliard,  Anderson. 

MARL. 

Wm.  M.  Murray,  Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  R.  W.  Roper. 

The  communications  were  then  respectively  referred  to  the  committees, 
together  with  the  certificates  for  premiums. 

Mr.  McCarthy  moved  the  following  : 

Whereas  the  opinion  has  become  impressed  upon  the  public  mind  that  all 
usefitl  advancement  in  agricultural  improvement,  and  in  the  arts  of  rural 
economy,  mainly  depend  upon  the  collection  of  the  numerous  facts  which 
are  furnished  by  observation  and  experiment  and  by  the  discoveries  of  prac- 
tical science.  And  in  as  much  as  many  of  the  States  of  this  Union  are,  in 
advance  of  our  own  in  both,  experimental  and  scientific  knowledge  in  all  the 
branches  of  industrial  labor,  through  the  instrumentality  of  local  and  state 
societies,  aided  in  many  instances  by  the  encouragement  which  is  afforded  by 
Legislative  assistance, 


74 


AGRICULTURAL 


And  whereas,  it  is  expedient  that  this  Society  should  avail  itself  of  all  the 
lights  and  information  which  have  been  obtained  elsewhere,  by  means  either 
of  individual  or  associated  experiment,  or  by  scientific  discovery ; and  an 
object  of  special  interest  at  this  time,  to  ascertain  from  indubitable  sources 
what  has  been  the  experience  of  those  States  in  reference  to  the  benefits  re- 
sulting from  Legislative  assistance,  in  which  appropriations  in  aid  of  Agri- 
culture have  been  made. 

Be  it  therefore  Resoh-ed,  That  a committee  of  five  members,  be  hereby 
appointed,  (of  whom  the  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  be  chairman.)  who 
shall  be  charged  with  the  duty  of  instituting  a correspondence  with  such  of 
the  States  as  they  shall  think  proper,  by  communications,  addressed  to  the 
Governors,  Secretaries  of  States,  or  to  the  Presidents  of  local  or  State  So- 
cieties, for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  such  information,  and  will  enable  them 
to  present  to  this  Society,  at  its  next  meeting,  a full  and  authentic  report  upon 
the  following  points  : 

1.  What  assistance  has  been  afforded  by  legislation,  in  the  States,  to  the 
advancement  of  Agriculture  and  the  arts  ot  Husbandry  ? 

2.  In  what  manner  and  under  what  regulations  and  restrictions  has  this 
assistance  been  rendered  ? 

3.  What  benefits  to  Agriculture  have  been  derived  from  Legislative  ap- 
propriations,  and  in  what  way  has  their  application  proved  most  available? 

4.  Has  the  apparent  and  practical  benefit,  derived  from  the  fostering  aid 
of  government,  afforded  sufficient  encouragement  to  induce  the  States  to  con- 
tinue  its  appropriations  for  a succession  of  years  ? 

5.  Have  the  States,  or  any  of  them  caused  Agricultural  or  Geological 
Surveys  and  Reports  to  be  made,  and  to  what  effect?  And  what  benefits 
have  resulted  to  Agriculture  from  these  services  ? 

These  resolutions  were  sustained  by  the  mover  and  carried,  and  the  follow- 
ing committee  appointed  thereunder  : 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES, 

ED.  G.  PALMER, 

WHITFIELD  BROOKS, 

W.  G1MMORE  SIMS, 

A.  H.  BOYKIN, 

R.  W.  ROPER. 

Major  A.  G.  Summer  moved  that  a sufficient  portion  of  the  Hall  of  this 
House  be  appropriated  for  the  accomodation  of  the  Ladies  on  Thursday  eve- 
ning, at  the  Anniversary  of  this  Society — which  was  agreed  to. 

The  Secretary  moved  that  a committee  be  appointed  by  the  President,  to 


PROCEEDINGS. 


75 


enquire  into  the  means  of  this  Society,  and  report  at  its  next  meeting,  and 
the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed. 

WM.  J.  ALSTON, 

J.  LARTIGUE, 

J.  DUBOSE. 

The  Society  adjourned  til!  Thursday  evening,  at  seven  o’clock. 

JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


Thursday  Evening,  7 o’clock. 

The  Society  convened  as  appointed,  and  being  organized,  the  Secretary 
read  the  proceeedings  of  the  last  meeting. 

The  reports  from  the  several  chairmen  were  now  offered  as  follows  : 

The  committee  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  award  the  premium  for  the  best 
conducted  farm,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  the  o.  ly  claim  presented  to  them, 
was  that  of  Whitfield  Brooks,  Esq. 

On  examining  the  description  given  of  it  by  the  officers  and  members  of 
the  Cambridge  Society,  your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  Col.  Brooks  has 
not  only  most  fairly  and  fully  entitled  himself  to  the  premium,  but  also,  that 
the  description  of  his  plantation  should  be  published,  as  an  example  worthy 
of  imitation. 

JOHN  BELTON  O’NEALL,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Potatoes,  respectfully  report,  that  but  one  individual 
came  forward  to  compete  for  the  premium  on  the  crop.  Mr.  R.  Cameron, 
of  the  Wateree  Agricultural  Society,  who  presented  a certificate  of  the  crop 
raised  by  him,  from  the  Wateree  Agricultural  Society.  His  crop  was  four 
hundred  and  thirty -six  and  three-eighths  bushels  per  acre.  Your  committee 
accordingly  recommend  that  he  receive  the  premium,  offered  by  this  Society. 

They  would  particularly  notice,  the  fine  specimens  exhibited  to  the  State 
Agricultural  Society,  by  Col.  R.  F.  W.  Alston,  and  regret  that  he  did  not 
furnish  the  Society  with  an  estimate  of  his  crop. 

PETER  P.  PALMER,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Corn  and  other  grain,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  for  the 
premium  on  Corn,  there  were  two  competitors,  one  showing  a production  of 
eighty-six  bushels  and  nineteen  and  a half  quarts  from  one  acre,  duly  attest- 
ed by  the  Secretary  of  the  Agricultural  Society  in  Kershaw  District.  The 
other  shewing  a production  of  one  hundred  and  five  (105)  bushels  and  eighteen 


76 


AGRICULTURAL 


quarts,  from  one  acre,  but  unaccompanied  by  any  certificate  of  any  officer 
of  the  Agricultural  Society  of  York  District. 

Under  the  circumstances,  your  committee  are  unable  to  award  any  pre- 
mium. They  take  occasion  to  suggest,  that  the  Society,  in  future,  should 
require  of  applicants  for  the  premiums  of  this  Society  to  produce  a statement 
of  the  culture  used  by  the  proprietor  or  overseer.  A statement  certified  by 
the  President  or  Secretary  of  the  local  Agricultural  Society,  of  the  measured 
quantity  of  land,  (45,000  square  feet  to  the  acre)  also  the  measured  quantity 
and  weight  per  bushel  of  the  grain. 

There  was  but  one  applicant  for  the  premium  on  Wheat.  The  committee 
does  not  regard  the  production  as  very  great,  but  were  pleased  with  the 
evidence  afforded  of  the  enterprize  and  perseverance  of  the  farmer,  in  ma- 
nuring his  land  and  cultivating  his  grain.  His  treatment  is  given  during 

O O O DO 

three  years,  and  the  whole  is  duly  certified. 

The  committee  recommend  the  premium  for  Wheat,  be  awarded  to  Col. 
Wm.  Wright  of  York  District. 

Your  committee  further  recommend  the  very  interesting  letter  of  General 
Jamieson,  on  Millet,  to  the  Society,  be  published  with  the  proceedings  of  this 
meeting. 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Rice,  have  received  but  one  communication  upon  its 
mode  of  culture,  and  from  the  facts  and  results  detailed  in  the  report,  con- 
sider the  means  employed  in  the  culture,  scientific  and  useful.  The  result 
of  the  quantity  of  land  planted  and  tended  according  to  the  statement  ren- 
dered, was  at  the  rate  of  7S^  bushels  per  acre.  This  although  by  no  means 
an  unprecedented  quantity  is  yet  .very  large,  and  from  the  quality  of  the 
Rice,  entitles  the  grower,  R.  F.  W.  Allston,  to  the  premium.  The  sugges- 
tions of  Mr.  Allston,  as  to  the  propriety  of  offering  a premium  for  the  dicov- 
ery  of  the  cause  of  rust  and  chalk  in  Rice,  is  left  by  the  comn\ittee  to  the 
wisdom  of  the  Society,  to  determine.  All  the  facts  contained  in  the  docu- 
ments upon  which  this  report  is  predicated,  are  so  fully  detailed,  that  your 
committee  deem  it  unnecessary  to  enlarge  further  upon  the  subject.  All 
which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

R.  W.  ROPER,  Cha'rman. 

The  committee  on  Long  Cotton  regrets  there  was  no  competitor  for  the  pre- 
mium for  Long  Cotton,  one  sample  only  has  been  submitted  to  their  inspection 
by  Mr.  Archibald  Seabrook  of  Edisto  Island,  of  very  superior  quality,  both  in 
length  and  fineness  of  staple,  grown  from  selected  seed.  It  appeared  that 
Mr.  Seabrook  raised  5440lbs.  of  cotton  in  the  seed,  to  eight  acres,  which 
was  designed  for  the  premium.  Upon  this  land,  one  hundred  and  sixty  piled 


PROCEEDINGS. 


i i 

single  horse  cart  loads  of  marsh  were  put  in  August,  1843,  immediately  after 
being  cut  and  partly  listed  in,  merely  to  prevent  the  depredations  of  cattle,  and, 
(as  he  expresses  himself,)  “ to  allow  the  marsh  to  rot  on  the  ground  intended 
for  cultivation.”  In  this  way  the  saline  and  other  ingredients  not  evaporable 
were  preserved.  By  exposure,  too,  for  several  months  to  the  combined  action 
of  the  air,  light  and  moisture,  the  process  of  decomposition  in  the  spring  is 
regular,  and  the  matter  becomes  food  for  the  plants  early  in  the  season.  It 
requires  of  this  quality  of  cotton  ISOOlbs.  in  the  seed,  to  make  3001bs.  of 
clean  ginned  cotton.  At  this  rate,  if  the  cotton  commands  the  lowest  price 
at  which  it  has  been  valued  by  two  disinterested  factors  in  Charleston,  it  will 
realize  in  money  ninety-five  dollars  to  the  acre.  Your  committee  therefoie 
recommend  that  the  premium  to  be  awarded  to  Mr.  Archibald  H.  Seabrook, 
cf  Edisto  Island. 

JNO.  RIVERS,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Silk,  respectfully  report,  that  they  have  examined  the 
specimens  presented  to  them,  and  would  recommend  that  the  premium  be 
awarded  to  Mrs.  Mary  W,  Dantzler,  of  Spartanburg  District,  for  the 
white  Silk  Vesting,  manufactured  and  presented  to  the  inspection  of  the 
Society.  Her  lot  consisted  of  Vesting,  Cloth,  and  a fine  net  shawl,  of  single 
silk,  beautifully  made. 

They  would  notice  favorably  a net  shawl,  from  Miss  Cassandra  Poole, 
of  Spartanburg  District,  of  equal  beauty  with  the  one  mentioned  above,  which 
was  the  work  of  her  own  hands  from  the  feeding  of  the  worms,  to  the  net:ing 
of  the  shawl.  Also,  from  Miss  Harriet  D.  Davxs,  of  Abbeville,  a net 
shawl  of  sewing  silk,  which  displayed  great  care  in  its  manufacture — also, 
a silk  pocket  from  Miss  S.  M.  Davis,  and  a pair  of  silk  Hose — and  from  Mrs. 
Samuel  Reid,  a pair  of  silk  half  Hose — from  Mrs.  P.  H.  Baskin,  of  Ab- 
beville, a beautiful  plaid  Shawl  of  wove  silk.  From  Wji.  B.  Villard  of 
Aiken,  forty  net  Shwals,  of  various  patterns,  the  work  of  his  daughter,  Miss 
P.  H.  Villard.  From  Mrs.  and  Miss  Crosby,  of  Lowndesville,  Abbeville 
District,  a few  specimens  of  silk  cloth,  mixed  with  wool,  and  from  Mrs.  Reid, 
a piece  of  cloth  of  the  same  kind. 

Your  committee  are  sorry  that  the  limited  means  of  the  Society,  prevent 
their  bestowing  premiums  of  a secondary  value  to  others  of  those  who  have 
favored  the  Society,  with  their  beautiful  articles  of  domestic  industry  and  dell" 
cate  handiwork. 

WM.  SUMMER,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Domestice  Fabrics,  report  that  they  have  examined 
carefully  the  specimens  submitted  to  them,  and  recommend  for  premiums  the 
following  articles  : A specimen  of  Cotton  Bagging,  of  manufactured  cotton, 
from  the  Pendleton  Factory,  which  the  committee  considers  the  best  and 


AGRICULTURAL 


most  substantial  article  of  the  kind  ever  seen  by  them  ; a specimen  of  Wors- 
ted Cloth,  manufactured  by  Mrs.  Baskin,  of  Abbeville  ; and  one  of  Checked 
Cotton  Homespun,  by  the  same  Lady  ; both  of  which  are  highly  creditable  to 
the  skill  and  industry  of  that  Lady. 

ROBERT  W.  GIBBE8,  Chairman. 

The  committee  on  Marl,  to  whom  were  referred  several  communications, 
viz:— Mr.  Edmund  Ruffin’s  “Marling  facts  and  estimates,” — Mr.  Ravanel’s 
account  of  the  number  of  acres  marled,  and  certain  experiments  in  his 
neighborhood— Mr.  Brisbane’s  and  Mr.  Holmes’  experiments — report  that 
they  find  all  these  papers  of  great  value,  and  recommend  that  they  be  pub. 
fished  in  the  Planter. 

They  also  report  that  they  have  awarded  the  Ruffin  premium  to  Mr. 
Plolmes,  of  St.  Andrews,  for  his  well  conducted  experiments  in  Marl,  as  ap. 
plied  to  Cotton,  Corn  and  Potatoes. 

WM.  M.  MURRAY,  Chairman. 

These  awards  were  made,  and  the  cups  awarded,  and, 

On  motion  of  Major  Felder, 

It  was  ordered  that  a ten  dollar  Silver  Cup  be  awarded  at  the  next  Anniver- 
sary, to  the  Lady  who  displays  the  best  Silk  Dress  of  her  own  manufacture. 

Hon.  Judge  Butler  was  appointed  to  address  this  Society,  at  its  next  se- 
mi-annual meeting,  at  Newberry  C.  H.,  on  the  last  Wednesday  in  July. 

At  the  instance  of  an  invitation  extended  from  the  Newberry  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  it  was  agreed  that  the  semi-annual  meeting  in  July,  of  this  Socie- 
ty, be  held  in  Newberry  village. 

The  following  were  the  Officers  appointed  for  the  next  year : 

Hon.  WHITEMARSH  B.  SEABROOK,  President. 

Hon.  J.  R.  POINSETT,  Anniversary  Orator. 


Chancellor  B.  F.  DUNKIN, 

1st  Vice  President. 

Chancellor  HARPER, 

2d  V. 

P. 

WHITFIELD  BROOKS, 

3d  V. 

P. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’NEALL, 

4th  V. 

P. 

Hon.  P.  BUTLER, 

5th  V. 

P. 

Hon.  J.  M.  FELDER, 

6th  V. 

P. 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  JAS.  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 

The  President  returned  thanks  for  the  continuance  of  his  seat. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Gibbes,  it  was, 

Resolved,  That  the  Society  recommend  to  its  members,  and  to  the  local 
Societies  of  the  State  the  necessity  of  sustaining  the  Southern  Agriculturist, 
published  in  Charleston,  and  the  Carolina  Planter,  published  in  Columbia. 


PROCEEDINGS.  79 

R.  W.  Roper,  Esq.,  now  delivered  an  address;  which,  after  a motion  of 
thanks,  was  ordered  to  be  published. 

Thanks  were  returned  to  Mr.  Russell  for  his  display  of  Flowers  at  the  ex- 
hibition. 

The  Society  now  adjourned,  to  meet  at  Newberry  village,  on  the  last 
Wednesday  in  July. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


Newbury  C’t  House,  Wednesday,  July  30,  1S45. 

The  State  Agricultural  Society  met  at  Newberry  C’t  House,  as  appointed 
by  the  meeting  in  December  last. 

The  President,  W.  B.  Seabrook  being  absent,  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  (Vice 
President,)  took  the  Chair,  and  organized  the  meeting. 

The  President  then  read  the  following  letter  from  the  President  : 

Edinqsville,  June  18,  1845. 

Dear  Sir, 

It  greatly  grieves  me  to  acquaint  you  that  I shall  be  unable  to  be  pre- 
sent at  the  Newberry  meeting.  From  my  illness  in  the  Spring  I have  not  re- 
covered, nor  is  there  hope  of  any  material  amelioration  of  my  ailment,  until 
I shall  have  tried  the  influence  of  a colder  and  purer  atmosphere.  While 
therefore,  for  many  reasons,  I deplore  the  existence  of  the  cause  that  will 
prevent  me  from  presiding  over  your  deliberations  in  July,  I confidently 
look  to  the  future,  when,  with  a renewed  constitution,  I shall  have  it  in  my 
power  to  devote  more  of  my  time  and  energies  to  the  discharge  of  my  du- 
ties as  a member  of  your  body.  At  any  rate,  of  one  thing  you  may  be  as- 
sured, that,  during  my  absence  frem  the  State,  1 shall  collect  all  the  informa- 
tion that  feebleness  of  health  will  permit,  having  reference  to  the  improvement 
of  Southern  husbandry,  with  which  it  may  be  important  or  interesting  for  the 
agriculturists  of  South  Carolina  to  be  acquainted. 

As  at  our  December  meeting  in  Columbia,  no  answer  was  received  from 
the  local  Societies  to  which  questions  were  propounded,  I recently  addressed 
a letter  to  their  respective  Presidents,  asking  their  attention  to  the  subject,  and 
expressing  a hope  that  the  information  asked,  may  be  ready  for  communica- 
tion  at  the  approaching  meeting  at  Newberry. 

Allow  me  respectfully  to  request  of  the  Society  attention  to  the  following  topics: 
If  the  committee  faithfully  perform  the  duties  assigned  them  much  benefit  will 
result;  otherwise,  positive  injury  from  the  influence  of  example  may  accrue. 
Working  members  in  every  agricultural  Society  are  needed,  and  to  such  only 


80 


AGRICULTURAL 


should  the  high  trust  of  collecting  information  be  confided.  With  the  reite* 
ration  of  my  sorrow  that  I cannot  be  with  you  next  month,  thereby  losing  the 
best  opportunity  I shall  perhaps  ever  have  of  becoming  personally  acquainted 
with  the  Farmers  of  Newberry  and  the  neighboring  Districts, 

I remain  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

W.  B.  SBABROOK. 

1.  Committee  to  be  appointed  to  ascertain  and  report  the  quantity  cf  cotton 
and  provision  land  marled  and  limed  in  ’44  and  *45,  and  the  success  of  the 
application 

2.  A committee  to  report  the  best  manure  for  cotton  and  provision  crops, 
and  how  to  be  applied  ; also  to  report  the  actual  practical  difference  between 
planting  largely  and  manuring  lightly,  and  planting  less  and  manuring  higher. 

:3.  A committee  of  enquiry  as  to  the  best  grasses  that  the  fitness  cf  our  cli- 
mate will  admit  of,  for  black  cattle,  horses  and  sheep,  and  whether  a large  por- 
tion of  the  upper  District  may  not  profitably  be  converted  into  sheep  pastures. 

4.  A committee  to  report  on  the  quantity  of  bagging  and  roping,  Osna- 
burgs  and  other  fabrics  used  by  the  planter,  manufactured  in  South  Carolina  ; 
and  the  quantity  of  each,  which  the  necessities  of  the  State  reqaire. 

5.  Questions  similar  to  those  propounded  to  the  Agricultural  Societies  of 
Spartanburg,  Greenville  and  Pendleton,  to  be  put  to  the  Newberry  and  adja- 
cent District  Societies. 

6.  Would  it  not  be  advisable  to  hold  the  extra  meeting  of  the  State  Socie- 
ty, in  April  or  May,  instead  of  a later  period. 

W.  B.  SEABROOK. 

The  Secretary  then  read  a summary  extract  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
meeting  in  December  last,  referring  to  this  meeting — the  following,  to  wit : 

“On  motion  of  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  it  was  agreed  that  a committee  of  five 
should  be  appointed  to  report  at  the  Summer  meeting,  upon  the  communication 
of  F.  W.  Davie  to  Hon.  George  McDuffie,  W.  Me  Willie  and  W.  B.  Sea- 
brook.” 

The  following  committee  were  appointed  : 

GEORGE  McDUFFIE, 

W.  Me  WILLIE, 

J.  B.  O’NEALL, 

WM.  J.  ALLSTON. 

The  above  being  read,  the  Hon.  J.  B.  O’Neall  read  sundry  reports  : which 
were  unanimously  received. 

A Lamp  Matt,  peculiarly  and  most  beautifully  constructed,  was  exhibited, 
by  Miss  Higgins,  (a  little  girl  of  11  years  of  age,)  of  her  own  work. 


PROCEEDINGS.  81 

The  following  committees  were  now  appointed  to  make  the  awards  on  stock 
to-morrow  : 

ON  HORSES. 

Hon.  A.  P.  Butler,  Col.  Richard  Griffin,  John  Gaskins,  Jas.  M.  Taylor^ 
P.  Ludlow  Calhoun,  B.  F.  Griffin,  M.  T.  Mendenhall. 

ON  JACKS  AND  MULES. 

Maj.  Wm.  Eddins,  Wm.  E.  Hardie,  J.  T.  Whitfield,  Dr.  Harrington,  Geo. 
Boozer,  .1.  M.  Young. 

ON  CATTLE. 

Dr.  J.  B.  Davis,  F.  B.  Higgins,  David  Hunts,  W.  H.  Griffin,  Ed.  Means, 
George  W.  Taylor. 

ON  SHEEP. 

Jas.  Creswell,  Micajah  Saber,  J.  H.  Hunt,  R.  A.  Griffin,  Col.  Wm.  Counts. 

ON  SWIN*E. 

Dr.  Geo.  W.  Glenn,  Wm.  Summer,  Dr.  Peter  Moon.  Gen.  Kinard,  Thos. 
H.  Pope. 


Thursday  Morning,  July  31,  1845. 

The  Society  met  at  10  o’clock,  by  appointment.  The  proceedings  of  the 
meeting  of  Wednesday  being  read,  the  meeting  adjourned  to  the  inspection 
of  the  stock. 

In  this  there  was  no  apparent  improvement,  in  the  usual  exhibitions  of  the 
Society,  except  in  Horses  and  Mules.  The  display  of  Horses  surpassed 
considerably  any  former  exhibition.  The  extraordinary  distress  of  the  farm- 
ers,  was  represented  as  the  cause  of  failure  in  Hogs  and  Sheep — that  of 
Cattle  being  respectable. 

All  being  minutely  inspected,  and  great  difficulty  and  delay  on  the  part  of 
the  Committee  on  Horses,  they  finally  re-assembled,  and  when  organized,  the 
following  reports  were  read  : 

The  Committee  on  Horses  beg  leave  to  report  that  the  superiority  of  the 
animals  exhibited  for  premiums,  caused  much  hesitancy  in  deciding,  but  agree 
upon  the  following  awards  : 

For  the  best  Stallion  for  u Harness  purposes,”  we  make  the  award  to  Col. 
Whitfield’s  bay  Stallion,  Waverly,  by  Bertrand,  dam  by  Blackburn’s  Whip — 
Judge  O’Neall’s  ch.  Stallion,  Tetotaller,  by  John  Gidron,  dam  Rob  Roy 
mare,  the  most  formidable  competitor. 


82 


AGRICULTURAL 


For  the  best  stallion  for  “ Saddle  purposes”  to  Maj  Eddies’  chesnut  horse, 
Chrichton,  by  Bertrand,  dam  by  Phenomenon — the  most  favorable  competit- 
or, T.  H.  Henderson’s  Woodpecker,  by  W oodpecker. 

For  the  best  Mare  for  Harness  purposes,  to  Washington  Floyd’s  mare. 
March,  by  Murat,  dam  by  Bedford — A jap  Eddins’  Ajarah  Harrison , the 
most  formidable  competitor,  by  Eclipse,  dam  by  Gallatin. 

For  Saddle  purposes,  we  make  the  award  to  Maj.  Eddins’  mare  Ajarah 
Harrison — the  most  formidable  competitor,  Mr.  Levcrett’s  mare  F.  Ellsler 
by  Sumner,  dam  by  Timoleon. 

For  the  best  suckling,  we  make  the  award  to  John  II.  Pearson’s  colt,  by 
Wilgo,  dam  by  Bertrand. 

Your  Committee  might  notice  appropriately,  several  of  the  animals  exhib- 
ited, but  not  wishing  to  consume  time,  respectfully  report  as  above. 

R.  GRIFFIN,  Chairman. 

The  Committee  on  Cattle  beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  carefully  ex- 
amined th ejine  specimens  of  cattle  presented  for  their  inspection,  and  recom- 
mend the  following  awards: 

For  the  best  Bull,  over  3 years  of  age,  to  Dr.  P.  Moon,  for  his  Durham, 
bred  by  Col.  Hampton. 

For  the  best  Milch  Cow,  to  Maj.  Eddins,  for  his  Durham  cow,  bred  in 
Kentucky. 

For  the  best  Heifer  under  3 years  old,  to  Russel  Gibson,  for  his  Durham 
Heifer,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  suckling  Calf,  male  or  female,  to  Washington  Floyd,  for  his 
Durham  calf,  bred  by  himself. 

Your  Committee,  had  some  hesitancy  in  making  the  above  selection,  over 
the  specimens  exhibited  by  Mr.  Hunt,  Suber,  Dr.  Bobo,  and  Air.  Scott,  but 
agreed  upon  as  reported. 

Respectfully, 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Chairman. 

The  Committee  on  Sheep,  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  make  the  following 
awards : 

For  the  finest  Ram,  to  Maj.  Eddins,  for  his  Bakewell  Ram,  bred  by  Col. 
Hampton. 

For  the  finest  Ewe,  to  Maj.  Eddins,  for  his  Bakewell  Ewe,  bred  by  Col. 
Hampton. 

For  the  finest  pair  of  Lambs,  to  Col.  A.  G.  Summer,  for  his  Bakewell 
pair,  bred  by  Col.  Hampton. 


J.  CRESWELL,  Chairman . 


PROCEEDINGS. 


The  Committee  on  Hogs  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  award  : 

To  John  Gaskins,  for  the  best  Boar,  (Berkshire.) 

To  G.  T.  Scott,  for  the  best  pair  of  Pigs,  (Berkshire.) 

G.  W.  GREEN,  Chairman 

The  Committee  on  Jacks  and  Mules  beg  leave  to  report,  that  they  have  ex- 
amined these,  and  were  delighted  with  the  excellence  of  all,  but  award  : 

For  the  best  Mule,  to  David  Heats,  bred  by  himself. 

For  the  best  Jack,  to  J.  Hunt,  (Imp.) 

Respectfully, 

W.  EDDINS,  Chairman. 

These  reports  being  concurred  in,  his  Honor  Judge  Butler,  was  invited  to 
deliver  his  address,  which  he  did  much  to  the  gratification  of  the  Society,  and 
on  motion  of  Cel.  Fair,  the  thanks  of  the  Society  were  returned  to  Judge 
Butler  for  his  able  and  instructive  address-,  and  that  he  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish a copy  for  publication  ; which  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Col.  A.  G.  Summer  moved  that  the  President  be  requested  to  appoint  a 
Committee  of  nine,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  collect  information,  and  re- 
pert  through  the  public  prints,  such  facts  and  opinions  as  will  lead  to  the  be- 
stowal of  more  than  ordinary  attention  cn  such  fall  and  winter  crops  as  may 
render  the  citizens  of  the  State  less  dependant  for  subsistence  on  the  present 
unpromising  crop.  Agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  this  Society  deeply  regret  the  dispensation  of  ill  health 
which  has  deprived  them  of  the  valuable  services  of  the  President,  Mr.  Sea- 
brook,  and  the  third  Vice  President,  W.  Brooks,  Esq.  They  have,  however, 
been  highly  gratified  with  the  interest  which,  in  their  letters,  they  have  dis- 
played in  this  meeting  ; and  they  hope  that,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  the  cause 
which  prevented  their  attendance  here  may  be  removed,  and  that  theyr  will 
be  restored  to  their  accustomed  places  of  usefulness  in  South  Carolina. 

Agreed  to. 

On  motien,  the  Society  adjourned. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Secretary. 


Columbia,  Monday,  Nov.  24,  1845. 

The  State  Agricultural  Society-  had  its  preliminary  meeting  this  evening, 
at  7 o’clock.  The  President  called  the  meeting  to  order. 

The  members  and  delegates  having  enrolled  themselves,  the  Society  then- 
proceeded  to  regular  business. 


84 


AGRICULTURAL 


Hon.  John  B.  O’Neall  offered  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  a committee  of  five,  of  whom  the  President  shall  be 
Chairman,  be  raised,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  quantity  of  corn 
necessary  to  supply  the  wants  of  the  people  of  the  Slate,  the  minimum  prices 
at  which  it  can  be  obtained  in  Charleston,  Hamburg,  Columbia  and  Camden, 
and  the  time  when  it  can  be  most  conveniently  obtained.  Agreed  to,  and  the 
following  were  the  committee  appointed  : 

F.  B.  HIGGINS,  Newberry. 

JAMES  A.  BLACK,  York. 

WM.  J.  ALL3TON,  Fairfield. 

B.  F.  PERRY,  Greenville. 

it  was  then  moved,  that  an  appropriation  be  asked  from  the  Legislature, 
for  the  publication  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Society,  the  Addresses,  Reports 
and  Essays  which  the  Society  may  select  for  publication,  and  also  for  such 
prizes  as  may  be  annually  awarded.  Agreed  to,  and  the  following  appointed 
-as  the  committee  to  petition  : 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’NEALL, 

Dr.  THOMAS  LEGARE, 

J.  H.  MEANS, 

JAMES  RHETT, 

J.  C.  CHESNUT. 

The  Secretary  then  stated,  that  it  was  proper  to  remark,  as  one  of  the 
executive  committee,  that  the  committee  could  make  no  awards  for  any  thing 
but  stock — the  means  of  the  Society  not  being  sufficient. 

The  following  are  the  committees,  appointed  by  the  President  • 

ON  DOMESTIC  FABRICS. 

Dr.  R.  W.  Gibbes,  Richland;  J.  C.  Chesnut,  Kershaw;  John  Rivers,  St. 
Andrews  ; J.  Y.  Mills,  Chester;  P.  E.  Ware,  Greenville. 

ON  CORN. 

Edward  G:  Palmer,  Fairfied  ; J.  M.  Felder,  Orangeburgh  ; P.  S.  Brooks, 
Edgefield  ; Wm.  Summer,  Newberry  ; James  Gregg,  Richland. 

ON  RICE. 

R.  F.  W.  Allston,  Prince  George ; B.  F.  Dunkin,  All  Saints  ; James  S. 
Rhett,  Christ  Church. 

ON  SHORT  STAPLE  COTTON. 

Wm.  J.  Allston,  Fairfield;  J.  P.  Neel,  Newberry;  L.  A.  Beckham, 
Chester. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


85 


LONG  STAPLE  COTTON. 

W.  M.  Murray,  St.  Johns;  John  Rivers,  St.  Andrews  ; J.  Fielding,  St. 
Lukes. 

ON  SMALL  GRAIN. 

J.  B.  O’Neall,  Newberry;  P.  E.  Dunkin,  Greenville;  Joel  Smith,  Abbe- 
ville. 

ON  MARL. 

J.  H.  Hammond,  Barnwell  ; W.  T.  Ellerbe,  Pcdee ; Dr.  P.  Palmer,  St. 
Johns  Berkley. 

ON  POTATOES. 

A.  G.  Summer,  Richland  ; Dr.  Pickling,  St.  Lukes  ; J.  PL  Means,  Fairfield. 

The  following  communications  were  read  by  the  President : 

Greenville,  C.  H.  Nov.  17,  1845. 

To  the  Honorable  W.  B.  Seabroo!:, 

President  of  the  Ag.  So.  of  the  Slate  of  So.  Ca. 

Inasmuch  as  the  undersigned  has,  by  unforeseen  contingencies,  been  denied 
the  pleasure  of  attending  the  meeting  of  the  Society,  he  begs  most  respect- 
fully, to  offer  through  you,  the  following  resolution  for  the  consideration  of 
the  Society  : 

1.  Resolved , That,  hereafter,  all  competitors  for  the  premiums  offered  by 
this  Society  lor  live  stock,  shall,  in  addition  to  the  age  and  pedigree  of  the 
animal  so  offered,  report  the  general  management  of  the  animal,  manner  of 
feeding,  articles  used,  &c  &c.,  with  such  other  remarks  pertaining  to  that 
kind  of  stock  as  the  applicant  may  see  fit  to  offer,  and  the  premium  shall  be 
awarded  to  the  competitor  who  shall  offer  the  animal  and  report,  which,  taken 
together,  are  best  calculated  to  promote  the  objects  of  tins  Society. 

2.  Resolved,  That  hereafter,  all  competitors  for  the  premiums  offered  by 
this  Society,  for  the  best  crops,  shall,  in  addition  to  the  amount  of  the  crop 
for  that  year,  report  as  near  as  he  can,  the  crop  of  the  previous  year,  the 
condition  of  the  land,  manner  of  improving,  preparing  land  for  planting,  culti- 
vation of  the  crop  offered  for  competition,  and  such  other  remarks  pertaining 
to  the  improvement  of  land  and  the  culture  of  that  particular  crop,  as  he  may 
think  fit ; and  the  premiums  shall  be  awarded  to  the  competitor,  whose  crop 
and  report,  taken  together,  are  best  calculated  to  promote  the  objects  of  this 
Society, 

The  importance  of  adopting  the  above  resolution,  is,  to  the  undersigned, 
obvious  ; but  as  others  may  not  think  so,  on  first  presentation,  a few  words  of 
explanation  will  be  offered. 

The  economy  of  raising  fine  animals,  and  improving  land,  are  matters  as 


86 


AGRICULTURAL 


interesting  to  this  Society  as  any  others.  One  class  or  variety  of  domestic  ani- 
mals may  suit  the  particular  circumstance  of  one  individual  or  one  neighbor- 
hood, better  than  any  other.  Different  soils  and  localities  require  different 
means  for  their  increase  of  fertility.  The  adoption  of  the  resolution  offered, 
would,  no  doubt,  bring  out  a large  number  of  facts,  well  calculated  to  eluci- 
date both  these  classes  of  subjects  and  speculations  that  would  lead  to  further 
useful  investigations  and  experiments.  Competitors  would  take  more  notice 
of  what  they  did,  and  keep  more  accounts,  so  that  the  expense  and  profit  of 
each  agricultural  operation  would  be  better  known.  This  is  something  much 
needed.  In  this  way,  a large  amount  of  desirable  information  would  be  col- 
lected by  the  Society,  and  diffused  among  the  farmers  ot  the  State.  Premi- 
ums could  not  then  be  awarded  to  any  one,  who,  by  accident,  had  a large 
crop  or  a fine  animal,  but  be  bestowed,  as  they  ought  to  be,  on  those  persons, 
who  had,  by  their  industry,  talent  and  capital,  done  most  to  promote  the 
great  and  good  cause.  The  contest  for  premiums  would  not  be  merely  who 
should  have  the  fatest  animal  or  the  largest  crop,  but  turn  on  the  important 
■ principle  of  who  could  accomplish  most  al  least  expense. 

A spirited  competition,  conducted  on  those  principle,  would,  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  undersigned,  increase  vastly  the  benefit,  the  farming  community 
have  received  from  the  plan  heretofore  adopted. 

With  a feeling  of  deep  interest  in  the  welfare  and  success  of  the  Society, 

I am,  most  respectfully, 

A.  B.  CllOOK. 

To  the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina, 

In  the  United  States  of  America. 

The  Russian  Imperial  Economical  Society,  established  in  St.  Petersburg,  in 
the  year  1765,  having  for  its  object  the  improvement  of  different  brandies  of 
Rural  Economy  and  National  Industry,  desire  to  enter  in  correspondence  with 
your  honorable  Society,  for  mutual  exchange  of  different  experiments,  obser- 
vations and  discoveries,  in  order  to  promote  the  National  welfare  of  both 
countries.  The  Almighty  having  blessed  the  United  States  and  Russia  with 
immense  tracts  of  fertile  lands,  has  pointed  out  to  us  that  the  principal  occupa- 
tions of  both  countries  should  consist  in  rural  pursuits.  Therefore,  we  feel 
real  sympathy  towards  your  great  Nation — and  the  more  so,  because  our 
Society  has  the  honor  of  counting  amongst  its  active  and  useful  members,  one 
of  your  distinguished  citizens,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Todd,  the  Representative  of  your 
country  in  Russia. 

The  Russian  Economical  Society  has,  for  a long  time,  expressed  the  wish 
of  communicating  with  the  Agricultural  Societies  in  other  countries;  but  as 
the  transactions  of  our  Society  are  published  in  the  Russian  language,  which  is 
very  little  known  abroad,  the  Society  commenced  publishing  extracts  of  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


87 


anti  a a-!  reports  and  of  the  transactions  in  the  German  language,  which  is  gen- 
erally understood  in  civilized  countries.  The  Society  conceiving  that  these 
publications  will  be  the  means  of  communications  between  the  two  countries, 
has,  therefore,  charged  me  as  ils  perpetual  Secretary,  to  forward  to  you  a 
copy  of  our  transactions,  published  in  German. 

I take  this  opportunity  to  add,  that  I am  very  happy  to  be  the  organ  of 
expressing  the  sentiments  of  our  Society  towards  your  enlightened  Nation. 

St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  30th  August,  1845. 

ALEXANDER  DJUNKOOSKY. 

Perpetual  Secretary  of  t ie  Russian  Economical  Society,  Actual 
Counsellor  of  Stale  of  IP.  I.  M.,  the  Emperor  of  Russia. 


Tuesday,  Nov.  25,  1845. 

The  Society  met  at  seven  o’clock  this  evening. 

The  President  having  organized  the  meeting,  several  communications  were 
read  from  individualscontending  for  premiums. 

lion.  A.  P.  Butler  moved, 

That  the  next  Annual  Fair  he  held  at  old  96,  in  Abbeville  District.,  Cam- 
bridge ; which  was  agreed  to,  and  the  3d  Wednesday  in  July  appointed. 

On  motion  of  the  lion.  J.  B.  O’Neall,  R.  F.  W.  Allston  was  appointed  to 
deliver  the  address  at  the  Cambridge  meeting. 

It  was  then  moved, 

That  the  sum  of  one  dollar  be  forthwith  contributed  by  each  member,  for 
the  purpose  of  providing  premiums  for  the  domestic  Fabrics.  Agreed  to. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  J.  Allston,  a committee  of  live  was  appointed  to  nomi- 
nate Officers  of  this  Society  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that  the  committee  re- 
port on  Thursday  evening. 

The  following  were  appointed  : 

W.  J.  ALLSTON, 

A.  G.  SUMMER, 

J.  C.  CHESNUT,  Jr., 

F.  B.  HIGGINS, 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON. 

Col.  M’Carthy  then  mored,  that  the  Ladies  be  invited  to  seats  on  the  floor 
of  this  Hall,  on  Thursday  night,  the  27th  instant,  to  hear  the  address  of  the 
Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett.  Agreed  to. 


88 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  following  report  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Rice,  R.  F. 
YV.  Allston,  was  read  : 

To  the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  So.  Ca. 

The  Committee,  to  which  was  assigned  the  duty  to  report  on  Rice,  have 
to  regret  that  they  have  not  been  furnished  as  they  desired  with  the  results 
of  the  experiment  in  the  culture  of  this  grain,  which  was  simply  mentioned 
the  last  year,  namely,  the  planting  on  beds  or  pea-ridges,  at  some  three  feet 
distant  from  each  other.  This  method  they  considered  as  peculiarly  applica- 
ble to  inland  plantations,  which  are  liable  to  be  sobbed  by  heavy  rains ; and 
the  soils  of  which  are  compact,  admitting  the  free  use  of  the  plow ; and  by 
this  implement,  the  beds  may  be  thrown  up  and  almost  completed.  They 
deem  it  applicable  also  to  very  old  lands,  situated  high  up  the  rivers  in  the 
tide  water  region,  which  are  generally  too  compact  in  texture,  and  frequently 
when  the  rivers  are  full  and  swollen  by  rains  in  the  interior,  sobbed  in  conse- 
quence of  insufficient  draining.  These  lands,  worn  and  sunken  by  incessant 
cultivation,  are  almost  universally  polluted  with  “ Goose  Grass,”  or  “ Blanket 
Grass,”  as  it  is  often  called,  which  it  has  been  often  found  is  a good  deal 
enfeebled  by  being  bedded  in  with  the  stubble  of  the  preceding  year. 

The  undersigned,  last  year,  planted  a portion  (lower  than  the  remainder) 
of  two  irregular  fields  in  this  way,  throwing  up  with  the  hoe,  beds,  at  the 
distance  of  twenty-eight  inches  from  each  oilier,  and  sowing  the  grain  broad- 
cast, on  the  top  of  the  bed,  at  the  rate  of  1 bushel  of  seed  per  acre.  The 
result  of  this  imperfect  attempt  to  equalize  and  level  the  surface  of  an  irregu- 
lar field,  although  the  product  differed  but  slightly  from  that  of  the  year  before, 
is,  on  the  whole,  considered  satisfactory. 

One  measured  acre,  on  which  was  sown  one  bushel  of  grain,  yielded,  on 
the  product  being  thrashed,  thirty-seven  and  a half  bushels  of  sheaf  Rice, 
which  is  equivalent  to  near  40  bushels  per  acre.  The  whole  field  produced  at 
the  rate  of  50  bushels  per  acre — the  remainder  of  the  field  (not  in  beds,) 
being  trenched  at  the  distance  of  14  inches  from  row  to  row,  and  planted  at 
the  rate  of  2^  bushels  of  seed  to  the  acre. 

The  year  preceding,  the  same  field  produced  a little  over  4S  bushels  pet- 
acre.,  and  the  portion  in  question  did  not  produce  more  than  3d  bushels  per 
acre. 

The  last  was  an  uncommonly  dry  season — the  tides  m the  early'  portion  ot 
it  being  short.  The  same  method  will  be  pursued,  on  the  same  land,  next 
year. 

It  is  known  how  universal  was  the  drought,  last  season,  throughout  the 
State.  The  tide  lands,  on  which  Rice  is  cultivated,  ivere  affected  higher  up 
the  River  Waccamaw  and  Pee  Dee,  than  was  ever  known  by  the  oldest  resi- 
dent on  them.  On  the  former,  the  salt  water  affected  the  crops,  either  ii. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


89 


quantity  and  quality,  as  far  tip  as  Butler’s  Island,  on  the  latter,  as  far  or  high 
up  as  the  plantation  of  Chancellor  Bunkin’s,  or  a little  below  Schooner  Creek. 
Cooper  River,  Sampit,  Pon  Pon,  Combabee,  Black  River,  and  Asbepoo, 
were  affected  in  even  a greater  degree. 

In  consequence  of  the  unprecedented  droughts,  the  effects  of  which  are 
thus  indicated,  it  is  estimated  that  one  fourth  of  the  lands  planted  in  Rice 
namely,  about  22,000  acres  will  prove  to  have  been  unproductive  or  nearly 
so. 

The  crop  of  1S43-4,  was  a little  short  of  130,000  barrels — 1844-5,  was 
about  117,009  barrels.  The  crop  of  1345—6.  will  be  about  100,000  barrels. 
It  has  been  estimated  at  even  less  than  this.  It  is  confidently  believed  the 
crop  will  not  exceed  the  estimate  herein  made. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

R.  F.  W.  ALSTON,  Chairman. 

On  motion,  the  above  report  was  submitted  to  the  Executive  Committee. 

The  Society,  on  motion  of  General  Means,  adjourned  till  half  past  seven 
o’clock,  on  Thursday  evening. 

J.  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 


Thursday  Evening. 

The  Society  convened  as  appointed  on  the  previous  evening.  The  Pre- 
sident called  for  the  Reports. 

The  committee  appointed  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  provisions  wanted  in 
the  State,  reported. 

The  Executive  committee  to  whom  was  referred  a letter  from  A.  D’Jun- 
koosky,  Secretary  to  the  Russian  Economical  Society  ; communication 
from  E.  Ruffin,  on  Marl,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Rice,  respect- 
fully report  the  fallowing  resolutions  for  the  adoption  of  this  Society  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  be  requested  to  present  to 
the  Russian  Economical  Society,  the  thanks  of  this  body,  for  the  two  volumes 
of  translations  presented  them,  and  that  he  forward  to  tiiat  Society,  through 
1 he  Hon.  Alexander  D’Junkoosky,  perpetual  Secretary  of  the  same,  so  much 
of  our  proceedings,  from  the  organization  of  the  Society,  as  may  be  useful 
or  interesting  to  the  Russian  Society. 

Resolved.  That  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  be  also  requested  to  tender 
to  Mr.  Ruffin,  the  thanks  of  this  body,  for  his  valuable  communication,  and 
that  the  same  with  the  report  of  the  committee  on  Rice,  be  published  in  the 
South  Carolinian  and  Temperance  Advocate.  Agreed  to. 


90 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution  asking  an  appropriation 
irom  the  Legislature,  for  the  printing  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Society,  from 
its  organization,  with  the  addresses,  reports,  &c.,  thereof,  as  well  as  for  the 
prizes  that  may  be  awarded  at  the  annual  meetings,  report  that  they  have  con- 
sidered the  same,  and  would  state,  that  it  appears  to  them  extremely  desirable 
both  for  our  own  sake  and  that  of  the  people  of  the  State  in  general,  that 
the  documents  alluded  to,  should  be  preserved.  it  is  also  of  great  con- 
sequence, that  we  should  be  able  to  meet  the  kind  offeringfannually  made  to  us, 
by  the  Agricultural  Societies  oi  their  proceedings,  by  presenting  to  them  our 
own.  To  do  this  vve  have  no  funds  : and  hence  we  must  ask  the  aid  of  the 
Legislature.  So  too,  at  this  meeting,  premiums  are  to  be  offered  on  Domestic 
Fabrics,  and  on  crops.  The  want  of  means,  may  hereafter  prevent  this,  unless 
the  Legislature  will  make  a small  appropriation.  Believing  that  these  objects 
are  essential  to  the  Agricultural  interests  of  the  State,  and  that  the  Legisla- 
ture can  do  nothing  more  acceptable  to  their  constituents,  than  to  contribute 
to  them,  by  making  such  an  appropriation  as  that  contemplated,  your  com- 
mittee recommend  that  the  President  be  requested  to  address  the  Legislature 
by  letter  or  memorial,  asking  an  appropriation  of  five  hundred  dollars,  for 
the  objects  pointed  out. 

JOHN  BELTON  O’NEALL,  Chairman . 

The  above  report  was  sustained  by  the  chairman  and  Mr.  Rhett,  and 
opposed  by  Major  Felder,  but  agreed  to. 

Mr.  James  Rhett  introduced  the  following  resolutions  : 

Whereas,  from  the  accounts  rendered  by  Captain  Charles  Wilkes  of  the 
United  States  Exploring  Expedition,  it  appears  there  are  eight  kinds  of  Rice, 
cultivated  at  Manilla,  in  the  Philipins  Islands — forming  the  chief  articles  of 
food  and  profit  to  the  inhabitants — the  different  varieties  being  distinguished 
by  the  size  and  shape  of  the  grain — three  belonging  to  the  low  lands  and  five 
to  the  high  land  culture — and  as  it  is  important  that  they  be  procured  for  the 
purpose  of  testing  their  value,  as  staples  in  this  State  ; 

Resolved,  That  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  Rice,  be  authorized  and 
requested  to  apply  to  the  proper  authorities  at  Washington,  in  the  name  of 
the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina,  to  procure  for  us,  from  the 
these  Islands  the  seeds  of  the  various  kinds  of  Rice,  above  referred  to,  so 
soon  as  the  same  can  be  effectively  done. 

Resolved,  That  the  members  of  Congress  from  this  State,  be  requested  to 
lend  their  aid  in  promoting  the  objects  of  this  application.  Agreed  to. 

Mr.  Wm.  Summer  moved 

That  this  Society  memorialize  the  Legislature  upon  the  propriety  of  laying 
a tax  on  dogs,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  sheep  growing  interest  in 


PROCEEDINGS.  91 

South  Carolina.  Wm.  Summer,  Win.  J.  Murray,  and  W.  J.  Alston,  were 
appointed  to  carry  out  this  resolution. 

The  time  now  arriving,  the  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  was  called,  on  to 
deliver  the  Annivesary  Address,  which  lie  did  to  the  great  delight  of  a nume- 
rous and  attentive  audience.  At  the  conclusion,  it  was  unanimously  resolved 
on  motion  of  Mr.  Rhett,  that  the  thanks  of  ihe  Society,  be  tendered  to 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Poinsett,  and  that  his  address  be  published. 

The  committee  appointed  to  nominate  officers,  reported  the  following  for 
the  ensuing  year  : 

Hon.  WHITE  MARSH  B.  SSABROOK,  President. 


Chancellor  B.  F.  DUNKIN, 

lsi  Vic 

e President. 

Chancellor  HARPER, 

2d  V". 

P. 

Hon.  J.  B.  O’NE ALL, 

3th  V. 

P. 

Hon.  A.  P.  BUTLER, 

4th  V. 

P. 

Col.  R.  F.  W.  ALLSTON, 

5 th  V. 

P. 

Hon.  J.  M.  FELDER, 

6th  V. 

P. 

Dr.  R.  W.  GIBBES,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Dr.  JAS.  B.  DAVIS,  Recording  Secretary. 

Hon.  JOHN  C.  CALHOUN,  Anniversary  Orator  : 
which  report  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 

The  President  returned  his  thanks,  and  at  considerable  length,  congratu- 
lated the  Society,  upon  its  success,  and  detailed  the  interest  to  result  from 
the  efforts  of  this  meeting,  &c. 

It  was  moved  and  agreed  to,  that  the  Executive  Committee,  invite  delegates 
from  other  State  Agricultural  Societies,  to  attend  the  meetings  of  this. 

The  Secretary  called  the  attention  of  the  Society  to  an  omission,  (to  wit,) 
that  three  members  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  President,  as  forming  with 
the  officers,  the  Executive  Committee,  and  A.  G.  Summer,  Wm.  J.  Alston 
and  Wade  Hampton,  were  appointed. 

The  Secretary  then  moved  that  the  Executive  Committee,  be  required  to 
investigate  the  pecuniary  condition  of  the  Society,  and  report  in  full  at  the 
summer  meeting.  Agreed  to. 

The  committee  on  Domestic  Fabrics,  report  to  the  Society,  that  a number 
of  beautiful  and  useful  specimens  of  silk,  cotton  and  worsted  articles,  have 
been  submitted  to  their  examination,  among  which  they  would  specify  the  fol- 
lowing : 

By  Mrs.  and  Miss  Gilliard  of  Pendleton,  a piece  of  woolen  and  cotton  goods, 
a coverlet  of  wool  and  cotton,  and  several  specimens  of  vestings. 

Bv  Col.  J.  Martin  of  Pendleton,  a fine  fur  drat,  of  neat  and  durable  appear- 
ance. 

By  Mrs.  Frances  A.  Dickson  of  Abbeville,  a fine  piece  of  worsted  doth. 


AGRICULTURAL 


By  Mrs.  Spear  of  Abbeville,  two  pieces  of  coloured  cotton  cloth,  suitable 
for  ladies’  dresses,  and  a specimen  of  worsted. 

By  Mrs.  Murphy,  (sixty. eight  years  of  age,)  of  Union, two  large  worsted 
shawls. 

By  Miss  Hamilton  of  Pendleton,  a vest  pattern. 

By  Miss  M.  Lee  of  Anderson,  a specimen  of  silk  for  ladies  dresses. 

By  Miss  Mary  Ann  Evans,  of  Charleston  District,  two  large  silk  shawls, 
three  small  silk  shawls,  one  pair  of  silk  gloves,  two  pair  of  silk  mits,  one 
pair  of  half  hose,  100  skains  of  sewing  silk,  and  a silk  purse. 

By  Mrs  Elizabeth  Dantzlcr  of  Charleston  District,  a very  handsome  white 
silk  shawl. 

By  the  Misses  Fleming  of  Spartanburg,  a fine  silk  banner. 

By  Miss  E.  .1.  Harkness  of  Anderson,  a pattern  of  coloured  cotton,  for 
ladies’  dresses. 

By  Mrs.  Perry  of  Greenville,  a pair  of  handsome  worked  slippers. 

The  committee  respectfully  recommend  to  the  Society,  the  following  ladies 
as  entitled  to  premiums,  for  their  fabrics,  and  regret  that  the  finances  of  the 
Society,  will  not  allow  of  a more  extensive  award.  The  various  specimens 
of  the  skill  and  industry  of  our  fair  country  women,  are  deserving  of  the  high 
respect  and  thanks  of  the  Society. 

To  Miss  Evans,  for  her  several  articles  of  silk,  a cup,  valued  at  seven 
dollars. 

To  Miss  Gdliard  of  Pendle: on,  for  her  vesting,  a cup,  three  dollars. 

To  Mrs.  Murphy  of  Union,  for  her  shawls,,  three  dollars. 

Mrs.  E.  Dantzlcr  of  Charleston  District,  for  beautiful  specimen  of  a silk 
shawl,  a cup,  three  dollars. 

To  the  M sses  Fleming,  for  the  silk  banner,  a cup,  four  dollars. 

ROBER.T  W.  GIBBES,  Chairman. 

The  following  was  read  by  W.  Gilmore  Simms  : 

The  three  specimens  of  domestic  wine,  herewith  submitted  to  the  State 
Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina,  was  made  by  Mrs.  R.  C.  Roberts  of 
Barnwell  District,  and  belongs  to  three  several  vintages,  as  labelled.  It  is 
produced  from  the  grape  called  the  Scuppernong,  according  to  a receipt  found 
in  the  periodical  called  the  *•  Silk  Grower.'5 

A fourth  specimen  herewith  submitted  is  made  from  the  native  wild  grape, 
of  the  kind  so  common  with  us  in  the  middle  Districts.  It  is  of  a darker 
color,  than  the  other  specimens. 

A single  bottle  of  sweet  oil,  drawn  from  the  rich  seed  of  the  Benue, 
native  and  well  known  plant,  is  also  submitted. 

This  plant  will  grow  in  our  poorest  soils,  and  is  well  worthy  of  our  culti. 
vat  ion.  Four  bushels  of  seed  are  found  to  yield  about  three  gallons  of  oil. 


AGRICULTURAL 


&3 

The  sample  submitted  is  now  twelve  months  old  and  will  be  found  to  retain 
all  its  original  sweetness. 

The  process  for  extracting  the  oil  from  the  grain,  is  a very  simple  one, 
Tiie  reeds  were  crushed  in  a common  mortar,  then  thrown  into  boiling  water 
— -after  being  sufficiently  boiled,  the  oil  was  skimmed  off*,  transferred  to 
another  vessel,  and  put  to  simmer  upon  the  fire,  until  every  particle  of  water 
had  evaporated.  It  was  then  bottled,  suffered  to  settle,  and  was  subsequently 
clarified  by  rebottling  and  by  age.  The  experiment  was  worth  making  by 
every  family,  who,  by  this  easy  method,  may  obtain  a sufficiency  for  home 
consumption,  of  an  oil  which  is  really  preferable  to  the  oil  of  olives. 

The  above  was  accompanied  by  a very  entertaining  address  from  Mr, 
Simms,  and  after  farther  complimentary  addresses,  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Roberts 
and  ladies  generally,  the  specimens  were  handed  around  to  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen,  and  an  award  made  to  Mrs.  Roberts,  of  a silver  cup,  valued  at 
ten  dollars. 

With  this,  the  Society  adjourned  to  meet  by  a subsequent  alteration  of  the 
appointment  of  Tuesday  Evening,  at  Aiken,  on  the  3d  Wednesday  in  July — - 
instead  of  Cambridge. 


JAMES  B.  DAVIS,  Chairman . 


. 

. 

■ ' 

. 


ORATIONS,  REPORTS,  Ac. 


REFERRED  TO  IN  THE  FOREGOING  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  STATE  AG F;  ICC  LTD  R AL- 


SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


, 


ANNIVERSARY  ORATION, 


CF  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIF.TY  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA  j 

BY  GEX.  GEOKG1E  McDUFFIE: 


Read  before  the  Society,  on  the  26th  November  1840,  at  their  annual 
meeting,  in  the  Hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 


Gentlemen  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  So.  Carolina  : 

I enter  upon  the  performance  of  the  task  you  have  been  pleased  to  assign 
me,  with  a due  sense  of  its  importance,  and  a corresponding  regret  that  I 
shall  not  be  able  to  fulfil  either  my  own  wishes  or  your  reasonable  expecta- 
tions. I may  confidently  trust,  however,  that  this  unpretending  contribu- 
tion to  the  cause  of  agricultural  improvement,  will  be  received  in  the  spirit 
in  which  it  is  offered  : and  that  the  partiality  to  which  I am  indebted  for  the 
honor  of  now  addressing  you,  on  the  greatest  and  most  neglected  of  all  the 
sources  of  public  prosperity,  will  insure,  for  the  unavoidable  imperfections  of 
such  a performance,  your  liberal  and  indulgent  consideration. 

The  art  of  cultivating  the  earth,  and  of  increasing  and  perpetuating  its 
productive  powers,  while  it  has  been  the  first  to  indicate  the  dawn  of  civiliza- 
tion among  men,  is  probably  destined  to  be  the  last  to  mark,  by  its  own  ad- 
vancement, the  final  stages  of  human  improvement.  For  of  all  the  arts  that 
contribute  either  to  supply  the  physical  wants  or  promote  the  intellectual 
development  and  moral  refinement  of  the  human  family,  none  are  more 
deeply  and  essentially  founded  in  the  principles  of  inductive  philosophy,  or 
are  capable  of  extending  their  achievements  over  a wider  field  of  usefulness 
and  true  benificence.  It  is  scarcely  possible,  indeed,  to  assign  any  limits, 
either  to  the  aggregate  amount,  or  to  the  number  or  variety  of  useful  pro. 
ductions,  with  which  the  fostering  bosom  of  mother  earth  is  ever  ready  to 
reward  the  researches  and  the  labors  of  her  children.  And  yet,  so  strange 


98 


AGRICULTURAL 


a paradox  is  man,  that  philosophy  has  stood  gazing  at  the  wonders  or'  the 
heavens,  entangled  in  the  mazes  of  vain  conjecture.  Enterprize  has  travers- 
ed and  vexed  the  earth,  and  seas,  in  the  vain  pursuits  of  golden  visions— 
and  even  avarice,  calculating  avarice  has  wasted  its  efforts  in  wild  and  gam' 
bling  speculations,  contributing  nothing  to  the  common  stock  of  national 
wealth  and  human  comfort,  while  millions  of  our  race  haye  been  literally  per- 
ishing for  the  want  of  nourishment,  and  the  whole  surface  of  the  earth  has 
presented  one  boundless  and  inexhaustible  mine  of  wealth  and  abundance, 
which  haughty  science  has  scarcely  deigned  to  exploie,  leaving  sober  indus- 
try  to  group  its  toilsome  way  amidst  darkness  and  discouragement 

As  cultivators  of  the  soil,  and  as  members  of  a community  whose  prosperity 
depends  almost  exclusively,  and  I may  add,  unalterably,  upon  its  productions, 
it  is  high  time  that  we  should  free  ourselves  from  our  share  of  this  common 
reproach,  and  make  one  united  and  vigorous  effort  to  redeem  our  agriculture 
from  the  shackles  which  ignorance,  prejudice,  evil  habits,  and  the  blind  and 
fatal  thirst  for  the  sudden  accumulation  of  large  fortunes,  have  but  too  firmly 
fixed  upon  it. 

To  aid  in  the  accomplishment  of  this  great  reform,  an  achievement,  in  all 
respects,  worthy  of  the  highest  aspirations  of  patriotic  ambition,  I shall  pro' 
ceedto  point  out  some  of  the  prominent  and  piactical  errors  most  prevalent 
in  our  agricultural  system — 'if  system  it  may  be  called— --and  to  lay  down  some 
of  the  fundamental  principles  and  cardinal  rules,  which  must  form  the  basis  of 
all  substantia!  improvements  in  our  agricultural  economy. 

The  greatest,  most  prevailing,  and  most  pernicious,  of  all  the  practices- 
which  distinguish  and  deform  the  agriculture  of  this  and  the  other  cotton 
planting  States,  is  the  almost  exclusive  direction  of  the  whole  available  labor 
of  the  plantation,  to  the  production  of  our  greatest  market  staple,  and  the 
consequent  neglect  of  all  the  other  commodities  which  the  soil  is  capable  of 
producing  or  sustaining,  and  which  are  essential  to  supply  the  wants  of  the 
establishment.  No  scheme  of  reform  or  improvement  can  produce  any 
great  any  salutary  results,  which  does  not  lay  the  axe  to  the  boot  of  this 
jadical  vice  in  our  husbandry. 

It  should  be,  therefore,  an  inviolable  rule  in  the  economy  of  every  planta- 
tion, to  produce  an  abundant  supply  of  every  species  of  grain,  and  of  every 
species  of  live  stock,  required  fur  its  own  consumption.  I am  aware,  that 
in  peculiar  localities,  when  the  price  of  cotton  has  been  high,  examples  may 
be  found  of  successful  planting  where  this  rule  has  been  disregarded. 

But  this  serves  only  to  prove,  that  even  a bad  system  prosecuted  with 
great  energy  and  under  favorable  circumstances,  may  be  crowned  with  a 
considerable  share  of  the  success  which  would  more  certainly  have  rewarded 
a good  one.  Such  examples,  if  they  constitute  an  exception  to  the  rule  I 


PROCEEDINGS. 


S9 


have  laid  down,  by  no  means  impair  the  force  or  disprove  its  general  expe- 
diency. The  economy  of  a plantation  should  be  founded,  not  upon  the  tem- 
porary and  mutable  expedients,  but  upon  general  and  permanent  rules, 
adapted  to  all  the  probable  vicissitudes  of  trade  and  of  the  seasons,  and  all 
the  fluctuations  of  prices  of  the  currency.  We  have  surely  seen  enough  of 
these  fluctuations,  and  sufficiently  witnessed,  if  not  experienced,  their  disas- 
trous influence,  to  warn  us  against  the  fatal  policy  of  yielding  up  the  lessons 
of  experience  to  the  temptations  of  high  prices  and  prosperous  seasons.  It 
is,  indeed,  one  of  the  greatest  evils  which  these  fluctuations  habitually  pro- 
duce among  us,  that  we  are  but  too  successfully  tempted,  by  the  temporary 
allurement  of  high  prices,  to  abandon  all  the  maxims  of  wisdom  and  all  the 
rules  of  sound  economy,  which  have  be^n  imposed  upon  us  by  painful  expe- 
rience, in  periods  of  depression  and  adversity.  Let  us,  then,  each  one  for 
the  sake  of  his  own  interest,  and  all  for  the  common  welfare  of  South  Caro- 
lina, solemnly  and  deliberately  resolve,  that  we  will  never  again,  under  any 
temptation  incur  the  just  reproach  which  must  attach  to  our  character  as 
planters,  if  we  should  be  induced  to  rely  upon  distant  communities  for  those 
essential  supplies,  which  our  own  plantations  are  so  capable  of  producing. 
And  to  the  end,  that  this  high  resolve  may  be  more  firmly  adopted  and  per- 
severingly  maintained,  I shall  endeavor  to  shew,  that  it  is  the  dictate  not  less 
of  an  enlightened  self-interest,  than  of  an  enlarged  public  spirit. 

We  are,  then,  to  consider  and  decide  upon  the  comparative  cheapness  and 
economy  of  producing  ourselves  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  purchasing  from 
abroad  on  the  other,  the  hogs,  horses,  mules  and  other  live  stock,  required 
for  the  use  and  consumption  of  our  plantations,  during  an  average  series  of 
years.  A stranger  to  our  wretched  habits  of  economy,  would  be  startled  at 
tiie  mere  propounding  of  such  an  inquiry.  He  could  not  comprehend  the 
economy  of  importing  from  Kentucky,  what  our  own  soil  and  climate  are  so 
eminently  adapted  to  produce.  However  plausible,  it  is  most  assuredly  a 
false  economy,  founded  upon  false  reasoning.  A man  who  will  assume  that  our 
bogs  and  horses  must  be  raised  exclusively  upon  corn,  and  will  gravely  sit 
down  to  calculate  the  cost  of  so  many  bushels  at  seventy-five  or  even  fifty 
cents  per  bushel,  will  certainly  come  to  an  erroneous  conclusion.  But  those 
of  us  who  systematically  pursue  the  business  of  raising  live  stock,  can  testify 
that  the  quantity  of  corn  necessary  to  raise  hogs,  horses  or  mules,  is  extreme- 
ly inconsiderable.  Oats,  whether  harvested  for  the  work  horses  and  mules, 
or  used  as  pasturage  for  stock  hogs  and  stock  horses  and  mules,  is  an 
invaluable  crop  for  a cotton  planter.  That  which  is  used  as  pasturage, 
while  it  will  cost  only  the  labor  of  preparing  the  ground  and  seeding  it,  will 
keep  all  the  stock  in  fine  order,  from  the  middle  of  summer  until  the  open- 
ing of  the  pea  fields,  and  these,  which  cost  scarcely  any  labor,  will  keep  them 


100 


AGRICULTURAL 


in  like  order,  with  very  little  aid  from  the  corn  crib,  until  December.  Frefn 
this  time  regular  feeding  will  be  required  for  about  four  months,  and  after 
that,  very  little  will  suffice  till  the  oat  pastures  are  again  ready.  In  this 
view  of  the  subject,  1 have  omitted  many  useful  auixilia ries,  such  as  pota- 
toes, pinders,  peaches  and  apples,  the  two  latter  of  which  are  often  permitted 
to  rot  on  the  ground,  though  excellent  food  for  hogs,  and  perhaps  the  least 
expensive  of  all.  Nor  have  I embraced  in  it  the  artificial  grasses,  though 
I am  quite  sanguine  from  an  experiment  I have  now  in  progress,  that  in  most 
of  the  strong  soils  of  the  upper  country,  blue  grass  and  herds  grass  will  suc- 
ceed very  nearly  as  well  as  they  do  in  Kentucky.  Upon  the  whole,  then,  it 
is  my  deliberate  opinion,  founded  upon  my  own  experience  and  observa- 
tion as  a planter,  that  in  South  Carolina,  and  particularly  the  upper  country 
districts,  it  would  be  true  economy  for  the  planters  to  raise  their  own  stock 
even  if  they  could  always  buy  Kentucky  pork  at  three  dollars  a hun- 
dred, and  Kentucky  mules  at  fifty  dollars  a head.  But  let  it  be  remem- 
bered that  to  accomplish  this,  they  must  devote  themselves  to  it  as 
an  essential  branch  of  their  business.  A regular  system  must  be  adopted, 
and  a competent  person  be  charged  with  its  execution  ; and  overseers 
must  be  made  to  know,  that  it  is  as  much  their  duty  to  superintend  it, 
as  the  cultivation  of  the  cotton  crop  ; for  hogs  and  horses  can  no  more  thrive 
without  proper  attention,  than  corn  and  cotton  can  grow  without  attention. 
And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  when  hogs  are  fat  or  in  good  growdng  order, 
it  requires  not  half  so  much  food  to  keep  them  in  that  condition,  as  it  would 
require  to  sustain  poor  hogs  and  prevent  them  from  growing  poorer.  It  is, 
therefore,  a most  obvious  rule  of  economy,  never  to  permit  stock  hogs  to 
sink  below  w'hat  we  denominate  a growing  condition.  The  corn  that  will  be 
required  to  keep  them  in  that  condition  during  four  or  five  months  in  the 
year,  will  be  less  than  that  which  would  be  required  in  extra  feeding  to  pre- 
pare poor  hogs  for  the  slaughter  pen  ; and  at  the  same  age,  their  weight  will 
be  fifty  per  cent.,  greater,  and  their  flesh  wdl  be  much  more  firm,  than  those 
of  hogs  brought  up  in  poverty  and  suddenly  fattened.  I am  now  speaking 
the  actual  result  of  my  own  experience,  and  I have  been  astonished  to  per- 
ceive how  little  corn  is  required  to  prevent  fat  hogs  from  getting  poorer. 

As  an  important  part  of  the  branch  of  economy  we  are  now  considering 
every  planter  should  keep  as  large  a stock  of  neat  cattle,  and  of  sheep,  as 
his  pasturage  and  the  offal  of  the  plantation  will  support.  To  this  extent, 
there  is  no  description  of  stock  so  valuable  in  proportion  to  the  expense  of 
maintaining  them.  Their  flesh  is  much  cheaper  than  that  of  hogs,  and  be- 
sides supplying  the  table  of  the  planter  with  an  abundance  of  gool  beef,  but- 
ter and  mutton,  the  former  will  advantageously  supply  one  half  of  the  plan- 
tation ration  of  meat  during  the  autumnal  months  : and  the  latter,  all  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


101 


wool  required  lor  clothing  the  negroes  in  winter.  In  addition  to  all  this,  it  is 
the  opinion  of  the  most  experienced  planters,  in  which  I fully  concur,  that 
where  cattle  are  penned  ever}'  night  on  grounds  properly  covered  with 
litter,  the  manure  they  will  make  in  the  course  of  the  year,  will  very  nearly 
defray  the  expense  of  maintaining  them. 

I have  thus  attempted  to  shew  that  it  is  the  true  interest  of  every  planter 
to  raise  all  the  live  stock  required  for  his  own  use,  and  for  the  use  and  con- 
sumption of  his  own  plantation,  though  no  one  else  should  pursue  the  same 
policy. 

I now  propose  to  consider  the  subject  in  a still  more  interesting  point  of 
view.  I propose  to  enquire  what  would  be  the  effect  of  this  system  upon  the 
general  prosperity  of  the  cotton  plaining  States,  assuming  that  it  should  be 
universally  adopted.  It  is  not  extravagant  to  estimate  the  annual  expense 
which  a planter  would  incur  in  purchasing  his  supplies  of  stock,  at  one  tenth 
ut  the  net  proceeds  of  his  cotton  crop,  as  exhibited  on  the  books  of  his  factor. 
Assuming  then,  that  the  labor  diverted  from  the  production  of  cotton,  in  order 
to  raise  these  supplies,  would  diminish  the  cotton  crop  in  the  same  propor- 
tion, it  would  follow  that  each  individual  planter  would  derive  as  large  a net 
income  from  his  diminished  cotton  crop,  as  he  would  have  derived  from  a one 
tenth  larger,  if  he  purchased  his  s'oek,  even  supposing  that  the  diminished 
cotton  crop  brought  no  higher  price  than  could  have  been  obtained  for  the 
larger  one.  But  here  we  realize  the  grand  result  of  the  proposed  reform  in 
our  agricultural  economy. 

It  is  a well  established  principle  of  political  economy,  confirmed  by  the 
unifoim  experience  of  the  cotton  planting  States,  that  when  the  supply  of  a 
commodity  exceeds  the  effective  demand,  the  price  is  diminished,  nut  only  in 
proportion  to  the  excess,  but  in  a still  greater  proportion.  If,  then,  vre  assume 
that  the  proposed  reform  would  reduce  the  annual  cotton  crop  from  two  mil- 
lions of  bales,  to  one  million  eight  hundred  thousand,  and  that  the  effective 
demand  of  the  world  would  not  exceed  the  latter  number,  it  would  clearly 
follow  from  the  above  stated  principle,  that  the  smaller  crop  of  one  million 
eight  hundred  thousand  bales,  would  yield  a greater  aggregate  income  than 
the  larger  crop  of  two  millions  of  bales.  In  the  habitual  state  of  our  cotton 
trade,  with  a constant  tendency  in  the  production  to  exceed  ihe  demand,  such 
would  always  be  the  result  of  diminished  production,  where  no  extraordinary 
cases  existed  to  check  consumption.  It  results  from  this  reasoning,  that  the 
planting  States  would  realize  from  the  universal  adoption  of  the  proposed  re- 
form, a clear  aggregate  saving  of  the  sum  now  annually  expended  in  purchas- 
ing live  stock  ; and  that  each  individual  planter,  besides  greatly  increasing 
the  comforts  of  his  establishment,  would  add  ten  per  cent.,  to  his  clear  an- 
nual income.  Entirely  satisfied,  os  I am,  of  the  soundness  of  this  reasoning 


102 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  the  justness  of  the  conclusion  to  which  it  leads,  1 am  aware  that  it  is  ex- 
posed to  an  apparent  objection.  It  may  be  very  naturally  asked,  how  it  hap- 
pens that  the  planters,  a class  of  men  sufficiently  intelligent  to  understand 
their  own  interests,  should,  generally,  pursue  a course  so  little  calculated  tu 
promote  it.  A sufficient  answer  will  be  found  to  this  question,  in  the  force 
of  established  habits,  the  mistaken  ambition  which  makes  the  point  of  hon- 
orable distinction  consist  in  the  number  of  cotton  bales,  and  above  all,  the  un- 
fortunate habit  so  generally  prevalent  among  planters,  of  neglecting  their 
own  business,  and  confiding  it  to  the  exclusive  management  of  ovei seers. 
It  is  a duty  which  every  planter  owes,  not  only  to  himself,  but  to  his  country 
as  a matter  of  example,  to  give  his  personal  superintendance  to  his  business, 
and  make  himself  master  of  all  its  details.  He  can  scarcely  deserve  to  own 
an  estate,  who  from  false  pride  or  indolent  self-indulgence,  remains  in  vol- 
untary ingnorance  of  the  various  operations  upon  which  its  productiveness 
depends,  and  relies  exclusively  upon  agents  who  are  practically  irresponsible 
and  in  general,  grossly  incompetent.  Certain  it  is,  that  no  general  reform 
or  improvement  in  our  agricultural  economy,  will  ever  be  made  by  overseers 
— agents  who  are  employed  from  year  to  year,  who  have  no  interest  in  any 
permanent  improvement,  and  who  are  generally  actuated  by  the  motives  of 
a tenant  at  will,  which  prompt  them  to  aim  at  a large  cotton  crop  the  pre- 
sent year,  without  any  regard  to  the  future,  or  to  the  subsidiary  branches  of 
a sound  system  of  economy.  Every  planter  who  has  attempted  such  re- 
forms or  improvements,  as  I have  suggested,  can  testify  how  utterly  impossi- 
ble it  is  to  make  overseers,  generally,  realize  their  importance,  or  bestow 
upon  them  sufficient  attention  to  insure  their  successful  execution.  Let  it, 
then,  be  regarded  as  the  point  of  honor  with  every  planter,  to  aitend  per- 
sonally to  his  own  plantation,  and  make  himself  master  of  every  branch  of 
of  its  operation  and  economy.  This  is  an  indispensable  preliminary  step  to 
all  useful  improvements  in  our  agriculture,  and  is  equally  demanded  by  every 
consideration  of  private  interest  and  public  duty. 

Another  mischievous  error  in  our  planting  economy,  proceeding  partly 
from  the  mistaken  ambition  of  making  a large  count  of  cotton  bales,  and 
partly  from  the  uncalculating  habits  acquired  during  high  prices,  is  exhibited 
in  the  general  carelessness  with  w'hich  cotton  is  picked  out  of  the  field  and 
prepared  for  market.  It  has  been  fully  demonstrated  by  experience,  that 
those  planters  who  have  their  cotton  properly  handled,  and  sent  to  market 
free  from  the  contamination  of  trash  and  stain,  can  habitually  obtain  in  our 
own  markets,  one  cent  a pound  more  than  can  be  obtained  for  cotton  pre- 
pared in  the  usual  way;  and  I can  personally  testify,  as  the  result  of  my 
own  experience,  that  the  difference  made  in  foreign  markets  is  much  greater. 
Now,  I invite  your  serious  attention  to  a few  plain  and  obvious  reflections  on 


PROCEEDINGS. 


103 


this  subject.  A diminution  in  price  of  one  cent  a pound,  at  the  present  mar- 
ket rates  of  cotton  is  equal  to  ten  per  cent.,  discount  upon  the  gross  amount 
of  the  annual  income  of  the  planter,  and  a still  larger  percentage  upon  the 
amount  of  his  net  income.  It  follows,  that  by  the  careless  operations  of  four 
months  in  gathering  the  crop,  one  tenth  of  its  value  is  destroyed,  and  one 
tenth  part  of  the  labor  of  the  whole  year  is  absolutely  nullified.  The  labor 
of  one  hundred  hands  is  reduced  in  value  to  that  of  ninety,  and  five  hundred 
btlcs  of  cotton  are  reduced  to  four  hundred  and  fifty.  Now  I confidently 
put  it  to  every  practical  planter,  as  a plain  question  of  economy,  what  possi- 
ble advantage  there  can  be  in  carelessly  picking  out  a cotton  crop,  that  will 
compensate  the  planter  for  tiiis  sacrifice  of  fifty  bales  of  cotton,  the  product 
of  the  whole  annual  labor  of  ten  hands?  Let  it  be  admitted,  and  it  is  an  ex- 
trerne  supposition,  that  hands  will  pick  out  one  tenth  more  in  the  one  mode 
than  they  will  do  in  the  other.  Even  on  this  hypothesis,  one  tenth  of  the 
labor  of  the  whole  year  would  be  sacrificed  for  the  sake  of  one  tenth  of  the 
labor  for  four  months,  and  to  this  sacrifice  we  must  add  that  of  the  additional 
expense  of  the  horse  power  required  to  make  the  additional  bales  of  cotton. 
Does  not  the  conclusion.,  then,  irresistibly  follow  from  these  premises,  that 
every  cotton  planter  should  lay  it  down  as  a cardinal  rule,  in  pitching  his 
crop,  to  plant  no  more  than  he  can  pick  out  with  proper  care,  giving  due  at- 
tention to  the  other  interests  of  his  plantation.  This  rule,  like  that  relating 
to  live  stock,  comes  recommended  by  the  twofold  consideration,  that  it  not 
only  promotes  the  individual  interest  of  each  planter,  but  still  more  exten- 
sively, the  general  interest  of  the  entire  class.  If  it  will  cause  a diminished 
quantity  of  cotton  to  be  produced,  it  will  cause  the  price  of  that  diminished 
quantity  to  be  proportionally  increased,  by  its  superior  quality,  and  still  fur- 
ther by  the  very  circumstance  of  its  diminished  quantity. 

It  is  not  to  be  doubted,  therefore,  that  the  general  adoption  of  the  two  plain 
and  practical  rules,  so  perfectly  in  the  power  of  every  planter,  of  raising  his 
own  supplies  instead  of  buying  them,  and  picking  out  and  preparing  his  cot- 
ton  with  proper  care  and  attention,  would  do  more  to  promote  the  prosperity 
of  the  cotton  planting  States,  than  all  the  morus  multicaulis  speculations 
and  political  paper  nostrums  that  ever  deluded  a people  with  visionary  hopes, 
while  they  afflicted  them  with  real  disasters. 

And  here,  gentlemen,  it  may  not  be  unprofitable  to  indulge  in  a few  cau- 
tionary reflections  on  that  wild  and  extravagant  spirit  of  speculative  adven. 
ture,  with  which  almost  all  classes  of  our  countrymen  havebeen  smitten, 
and  infatuated  for  several  years  past,  and  which  has  exerted  a most  pernicious 
influence,  even  upon  agricultural  economy.  It  has  unfortunately  inspired 
our  planters,  in  too  many  instances,  with  a sort  of  contempt  for  the  “dull 
pursuits,1’  of  sober  industry,  and  taught  them  to  look  upon  every  visionary 


104 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  ephemeral  humbug  as  an  El  Dorado  of  sudden  and  unbounded  wealth. 
Now,  if  any  one  anticipates,  from  the  deliberations  of  this  Society,  the  dis- 
covery of  some  new  process  by  which  wealth  is  to  be  accumulated  without 
labor,  the  sooner  he  dispels  such  a delusion  the  better.  There  is  no  royal 
highway  to  wealth,  any  more  than  to  learning.  As  labor  is  the  only  true 
and  ultimate  measure  of  value,  wealth  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  the 
accumulated  results  of  labor  ; and  wherever  one  man  becomes  rich  with- 
out labor,  it  follows  as  a necessary  consequence,  that  by  some  specula- 
tive juggle,  he  has  managed  to  transfer  to  himself  the  labors  of  other 
people.  Though  individuals,  therefore,  may  become  rich  by  unproduc- 
tive processes,  it  is  impossible,  in  the  very  nature  of  things,  that  com- 
munities ever  can.  Let  us,  then,  realizing  these  great  principles  of  indus- 
try and  sound  economy,  and  discarding  all  visionary  schemes,  steadily  pur- 
sue the  beaten  track  of  honest  industry,  consoled  by  the  patriotic  reflection, 
that  every  dollar  we  thus  add  to  our  own  fortunes,  is  so  much  added  to  the 
wealth  of  the  State,  and  that  the  losses  of  others  constitute  no  one  of  the 
elements  of  our  prosperity. 

As  intimately  connected  with  this  view  of  the  subject,  1 may  venture  to 
offera  a few  suggestions,  calculated  to  show  that  in  a planting  community, 
habitual  indebtedness  is  the  almost  certain  cause  of  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ment, and  is  palpably  opposed  to  every  maxim,  of  genuine  economy.  Of  ail 
classes  of  the  community,  the’planters  can  best  plead  the  excuse  of  necessity 
for  going  in  debt,  and  fatal  experience  has  but  too  clearly  demonstrated  the 
disastrous  results  of  such  a policy.  As  this  is  lhetbese1ting  frailty  of  the  times 
which  so  many  lessons  of  experience  have  entirely  failed  to  cuie,  I consider 
it  worthy  of  the  grave  and  solemn  consideration  of  this  association.  For 
if  there  be  any  question  in  the  whole  circle  of  our  general  economy,  in  rela- 
tion to  which  a sound  public  opinion  should  be  brought  to  bear  upon  indi- 
vidual imprudence,  this,  in  my  opinion,  is  that  very  question. 

If  we  consult  the  experience  of  other  States,  we  shall  find  that  all  the  ad- 
vantages of  a fertile  soil  and  genial  climate  have  been  blasted  by  the  mis- 
taken policy  of  which  I am  speaking  ; and  that  w hole  communities,  which 
industry  and  prudence  would  have  caused  to  flourish  almost  beyond  example, 
exhibit  one  general  scene  of  pecuniary  embarrassment,  bankruptcy  and  ruin. 
The  experience  and  observation  of  every  planter  will  sustain  me  in  the  asser- 
tion, that  we  pay  for  credit,  in  the  mode  in  which  it  is  usually  obtained  in  the 
purchase  of  property,  from  ten  to  twenty  per  cent.,  interest.  Every  one  who 
is  accustomed  to  attend  administrator’s  and  other  public  sales,  must  have  been 
struck  by  the  extravagant  prices  men  are  tempted  to  give  by  a x ear’s  credit  ; 
and  not  less  by  the  fact  that  such  men  are  perpetually  involved  in  pecuniary 
embarrassments,  and  that  the  very  efforts  they  thus  imprudently  make  to  get 
forward  in  the  world  faster  than  their  neighbors,  keep  them  always  in  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


105 


rear.  In  fact,  it  may  be  truly  affirmed  as  a general  truth,  that  planters  who 
are  largely  in  debt,  are,  to  that  extent,  the  mere  stewards  of  their  creditors* 
Life  is  with  them  an  anxious  and  slavish  struggle  in  pursuit  of  an  object  which 
always  eludes  their  grasp.  Hut  there  is  another  form  of  credit,  fortunately 
net  so  prevalent  in  South  Carolina  as  in  other  States,  of  which  planters  are 
but  too  ready  to  avail  themselves,  which  is  equally  at  war  with  sound  economy 
and  a sound  currency.  I allude,  of  course,  to  bank  discounts.  It  has  been 
so  fashionable  of  late,  to  pronounce  extravagant  eulogies  on  what  is  miscalled 
the  credit  system,  that  it  will  probably  be  deemed  quite  heretical  to  say  that 
credit,  in  any  form,  is  a public  and  private  evil.  It  is,  nevertheless,  my  de- 
1, berate  and  well  considered  opinion,  that  one  of  the  greatest  nuisances  that 
could  afflict  an  agricultural  community,  would  be  the  establishment  of  agri- 
cultural banks,  so  located  as  to  enable  every  planter  to  obtain  credit  to  the 
amount  of  one  third  part  of  the  value  of  his  estate.  The  fatal  experience 
of  other  States  has  conclusively  proved  that  such  establishments  have  been 
the  invariable  causes  of  embarrassment  and  ruin.  Owing  to  the  periodical 
fluctuations  inseparable  from  such  a system,  it  has  generally  happened  that  a 
credit  obtained  by  a planter,  to  the  amount  of  one  third  of  his  estate,  in  a 
period  of  expansion,  has  required  the  whole  estate,  to  redeem  it  in  a period 
of  contraction.  And  we  have  been  but  too  impressively  admonished  that  it  is 
the  very  genius  and  instinct,  of  those  institutions,  to  grant  credits  in  periods 
of  expansion,  and  exact  payment  in  periods  of  contraction.  One  motive  for 
calling  your  attention  to  this  subject,  will  be  found  in  the  public  manifestation 
of  a desire  in  some  parts  of  the  State,  to  convert  the  Bank  of  the  State  of 
South  of  Carolina  into  an  agricultural  Bank,  and  with  that  view,  to  give  it  a 
central  location.  Such  a change,  made  for  such  a purpose,  I should  regard 
as  a great  public  calamity.  Every  one  practically  acquainted  both  with 
planting  and  banking,  must  be  aware  that  a mere  planter’s  bank  can  be  noth- 
ing more  nor  less  than  a loan  office.  The  planter  realizes  his  income  an- 
nually and  periodically  ; and  it  follows,  that  a discount  granted  to  him,  ex- 
cept in  rare  cases,  must  be  virtually  a credit  for  a year.  In  practice  it  would 
he  more  generally  for  a longer  than  for  a shorter  period.  It  is  self-evident 
then,  that  such  a bank  could  not  maintain  the  character  of  a specie  paying 
bank  fora  single  month.  Now.  if  there  is  anyone  measure  which  the  pub- 
lic opinion  and  the  true  policy  of  the  State  concur  in  demanding,  it  is  the 
rigid  enforcement  of  specie  payments  by  all  the  banks.  Let  me  warn  my 
brother  planters,  therefore,  against  involving  themselves  in  a state  of  tilings 
by  wliish  they  would  either  be  i he  means  of  defeating  this  measure  of  saluta- 
ry State  policy,  or  become  themselves  the  victims  of  it. 

I cannot,  therefore,  lecommend  a more  important  reform  in  our  planting 
community,  than  to  get  out  of  debt  with  al!  practicable  despatch,  if  already 


106 


AGRICULTURAL 


involved  in  it,  and  resolve  for  the  future  never  to  be  involved  in  it  affian. 
Such  a resolution,  generally  adopted  and  firmly  maintained,  would  do  more 
to  promote  the  independence  and  substantial  prosperity  of  an  agricultural 
State,  than  all  the  quackeries  of  legislation  united.  Imagine  for  one  moment 
the  great  moral  and  political  change  which  would  be  produced,  if  it  could  be 
truly  announced  at  this  moment,  that  every  cultivator  of  the  soil,  within  the 
wide  limits  of  South  Carolina,  was  entirely  free  from  the  shackels  of  debt.  It 
should  be  a glorious  day  of  jubilee.  The  fatal  spell  of  pecuniary  influence 
would  be  dissolved  at  once,  the  shackles  of  dependence  would  fall  from  the 
arms  of  the  indebted,  and  every  citizen  would  walk  abroad  in  the  majesty 
of  genuine  independence  and  freedom. 

But  let  us  consider  the  effect  which  this  general  and  habitual  freedom 
from  debt,  would  produce  upon  the  progress  of  individuals  in  accumulating 
wealth,  and  upon  the  aggregate  prosperity  of  the  whole  class  of  planters. 
Taking  experience  for  our  guide,  it  can  scarcely  be  doubted,  that  those  who 
have  uniformly  kept  out  of  debt,  and  have  never  purchased  property  till  they 
had  the  money  in  hand  to  pay  for  it,  have  generally  accumulated  fortunes 
more  rapidly  and  much  more  certainly  than  those  who  have  pursued  the  op- 
posite policy.  Every  step  they  take  is  so  much  permanently  gained.  They 
are  exposed  to  no  backsets  ; they  are  affected  by  no  vicissitudes  in  trade  ; 
and  stand  firm  and  unmoved  amidst  those  great,  and  now  frequent  and  peri- 
odical convulsions,  by  which  those  who  arc  in  debt  are  always  shaken  and 
often  overwhelmed. 

Instances  will  no  doubt  occur  to  everv  one  who  hears  me,  of  men  who 
have  habitually  made  smaller  crops  than  their  neighbors,  and  who  have  yet, 
in  a series  of  years,  grown  wealthy  much  faster,  by  this  very  simple  rule, 
which  I once  heard  laid  down  by  a friend.  Fie  never  made  large  cotton 
crops,  and  was  regarded  as  a bad  planter.  And  when  asked  how  he  got  rich 
so  much  faster  than  his  more  energetic  neighbors,  he  replied  : “ My  neigh- 

bors begin  at  the  wrong  end  of  the  year.  They  make  their  purchases  at  the 
beginning  of  it,  on  a credit  ; I make  mine  at  the  end  of  it,  and  pay  down 
the  cash.”  And  here  I am  reminded  of  a saying  of  John  Randolph,  of  Vir- 
ginia ; a man  not  more  remarkable  for  his  genius  and  eccentricity,  than  for 
the  profound  philosophical  truths,  which  sometimes  escaped  from  him,  like 
the  responses  of  an  inspired  oracle.  In  the  midst  of  one  of  his  splendid 
rhapsodies  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  he  suddenly  paused,  and  fixing 
his  eye  upon  the  presiding  officer,  exclaimed,  “ Mr.  President,  I have  dis- 
covered the  philosopher’s  stone.  It  consists  in  these  four  plain  English 
monasyllables : “pay  as  you  go.”  Now,  I will  venture  to  say,  that  this 
is  a much  nearer  approach  than  alchemy  will  ever  make,  to  the  great  object 
of  its  visionary  researches.  And  in  recommending  this  maxim  to  the  cotton 


PROCEEDINGS. 


107 


planters  of  the  State,  I have  still  kept  in  view,  not  only  the  individual  interest 
of  each  planter,  separately  considered,  but  the  common  interest  of  the  whole 
community  of  planters.  For  this  reform,  like  the  others  I have  suggested, 
independently  of  the  direct  benefit  it  will  confer  on  each  individual  planter, 
will  benefit  the  whole,  as  a class,  by  checking  over-production.  One  great 
cause  of  the  incessant  struggle  to  make  large  cotton  crops,  to  the  neglect 
of  every  other  interest,  is  the  reckless  habit  of  contracting  debts,  which  I am 
deprecating.  Negroes  are  purchased  upon  credit,  and  the  planter  is  thus 
furnished  both  with  the  means  and  the  motives  for  unduly  and  disproportion- 
ately enlarging  his  cotton  crop.  As  cotton  is  the  only  crop  that  will  command 
money,  and  as  money  is  the  most  pressing  want  of  a man  in  debt,  every 
thing  is  directed  to  that  object ; so  much  so,  that  it  is  the  standing  apology  for 
neglecting  to  pursue  a sound  system  of  economy.  The  saying  i.as,  indeed, 
become  proverbial  among  planters,  “if  I were  not  in  debt,  1 would  not  strive 
to  make  such  large  cotton  crops,  but  would  devote  myself  to  raising  my  own 
supplies,  and  making  permanent  engagements.” 

Let  me,  therefore,  advise,  admonish  and  beseech  all  our  planters,  as  they 
regard  their  own  peace  of  mind,  their  own  true  interest,  the  dignity  and  honor 
of  their  vocation,  and  the  substantial  welfare  of  the  State,  to  avoid  the  en- 
tangling embarrassments  of  debt.  Let  them  regard  those  who  may  offer 
them  eredit  with  no  friendly  eye,  but.  as  enemies  in  disguise,  who  seek  to 
lead  them  into  temptation.  If  they  have  contracted  the  hub  t of  anticipating 
their  incomes,  even  for  a single  year,  let  them  reform  even  that.  Yes,  re- 
form it  altogether.  Then  will  their  prosperity  be  placed  on  immoveable 
foundations.  Then  will  they  stand  unshaken  and  unterrified  amidst  those 
periodical  storms  and  convulsions  which  are  the  inseparable  concomitants  of 
a false  and  artificial  system  of  fluctuating  credit  and  currency.  Then  will 
South  Carolina  find  it  an  easy  task  to  perform  lhe  high  and  solemn  duty  of 
preventing  those  convulsions,  by  reforming  that  currency. 

There  is  another  reform  in  our  agricultural  economy,  to  which  eveiy 
planter  in  South  Carolina  is  invited  by  the  most  pursuasive  considerations, 
public  and  private.  It  is  to  adopt  and  steadily  pursue  a system  of  perma- 
nent improvement,  not  only  in  the  soil,  but  in  the  buildings  and  fixtures  of 
bis  plantation,  and  to  abandon  the  improvident  policy  hitherto  generally  pur- 
sued, of  exhausting  the  soil  in  the  too  eager  desire  to  realize  a large  present 
income,  without  any  regard  to  the  future.  It  is  absolutely  distressing  to 
contemplate  the  memorials  of  this  wretched  policy  exhibited  in  every  part  of 
the  State — a policy  which,  while  it  denies  to  the  present  generation  almost 
all  the  rational  comforts  which  alone  to  make  wealth  desirable,  leaves  to 
posterity  an  exhausted  soil,  ruinous  mansions,  and  a barren  inheritance. 

Now,  it  would  not  be  too  strong  an  expression  to  soy  that  every  dollar 


108 


AGRICULTURAL 


judiciously  invested  in  the  permanent  improvement  of  his  estate  by  a planter, 
would  be  worth  more  to  his  children  than  two  dollars  invested,  as  is  usual,  in 
the  purchase  of  more  negroes  to  cut  down  the  forest  and  destroy  the  soil. — 
We  have  reached  a point  in  our  agriculture,  which  imperiously  demands  a 
fundamental  change  in  this  respect.  However  the  virgin  soils  of  the  South 
west  may  palliate  the  folly  of  such  a course,  the  alternative  is  distinctly  pre- 
sented to  us,  of  permanently  improving  our  estates,  or  deserting  them.  We 
cannot  contend  with  the  planters  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  in  a wild  and 
destructive  system,  by  which  even  they  have  sunk  under  embarrassment  and 
ruin,  with  all  their  advantages  of  soil  and  climate.  We  can  make  up  for 
our  comparatively  inferior  soil  and  climate  only  by  a superior  system  of  hus- 
bandry. While  they  are  exhausting  their  soil  and  preventing  the  natural 
increase  of  their  slaves  by  a reckless  system  of  pushing  and  driving,  let 
us  improve  the  fertility  of  the  one,  by  resting  and  manuring  it,  and  increase 
the  number  of  the  other,  by  moderate  working,  and  by  providing  every  thing 
necessary  for  their  health  and  comfort.  And  I have  no  doubt  that  a South 
Carolina  planter  who  shall  limit  his  cotton  crop  to  five  bales  to  the  hand,  and 
rely  mainly  upon  the  natural  increase  of  his  negroes,  will  leave  a larger  es- 
tate to  his  children,  at  the  end  of  ten  or  twenty  years,  than  a South  Western 
planter  who  follows  the  system  generally  pursued  in  that  quarter,  though  he 
should  make  eight  bales  to  the  hand,  and  annually  apply  his  surplus  incumc 
to  the  purchase  of  land  and  negroes.  Though  they  are  real lyr  struggling  for 
the  benefit  of  their  children,  there  is  no  class  of  men  who  do  so  little  for 
posterity,  and  will  leave  so  few  monuments  behind  them,  as  the  cotton  plan- 
ters of  the  South.  What  sort  of  an  estimate  must  be  placed  upon  wealth, 
and  to  what  rational  end  can  he  desire  it,  who,  with  an  income  cf  ten  or 
twenty  thousand  dollars  a year,  brings  up  a family  of  children  imperfectly 
educated,  in  a log  cabin,  with  scarcely  the  ordinary  comforts  of  such  a 
dvvel'ing?  A stranger  travelling  through  our  country  could  not  be  persuaded 
that  it  was  inhabited  by  a race  of  wealthy,  hospitable  and  enlightened  plan- 
ters,  so  few  of  the  monuments  and  improvements  that  indicate  a wealthy  and 
prosperous  community  would  meet  his  eye.  And  if.  by  one  of  those  great 
political  revolutions  which  overwhelmed  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans,  our 
race  should  be  merged  in  a race  of  conquorers,  and  our  name  only  descend 
to  posterity,  what  classic  memorial,  what  substantial  monument,  would  bear 
testimony  that  this  “delightful  region  of  the  sun,”  had  once  been  inhabited 
by  a civilized  and  enlightened  people,  eminently  distinguished  for  their  indus- 
try, their  wealth,  and  the  freedom  of  their  institutions? 

In  thus  urging  a more  provident  regard  to  the  future  in  our  general  econo- 
my, it  will  be  perceived  that  I have  still  kept  in  view  the  important  object  of 
diminishing  the  aggregate  cotton  crop  of  the  country,  by  giving  a more  use- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


100 


i’al  direction  to  a portion  of  the  capital  and  labor  devoted  too  exclusively  to 
its  production.  It  will  be  also  perceived  that  I have  made  no  disclosure  or 
recommendation  of  any  improvement  by  which  large  cotton  crops  may  be 
made.  1 have  intentionally  abstained  from  any  suggestion  of  this  kind,  be- 
lieving that  every  one  may  be  safely  left  to  his  own  impulses  and  his  own  re- 
sources on  this  point  and  regarding  over  production  as  one  of  the  greatest 
evils  to  which  the  cotton  planting  interest  is  exposed.  Indeed,  if  I could 
now  reveal  a process  by  which  our  common  sods  could  be  made  to  produce 
two  bales  of  cotton  to  the  acre,  I should  have  great  doubt  whether  the  revo- 
lution would  be  a blessing  or  a curse  to  that  great  interest.  I am  aware 
that  as  1 have  obtained  some  reputation  for  making  large  cotton  crops,  it  may 
be  supposed  that  I preach  one  doctrine  and  practice  another  But  such  a 
supposition  would  do  me  injustice.  With  the  largest  cotton  crop  lever  made 
— that  of  1839 — I combined  all  the  other  branches  of  economy  I have  hero 
recommended.  I have  now  a surplus  of  fifteen  hundred  bushels  of  corn 
made  that  year,  hogs  sufficient  to  supply  my  wants,  that  have  been  fat  enough 
to  slaughter  since  July,  and  very  large  stocks  of  cattle  and  of  sheep,  the  lat- 
ter of  which  supply  all  the  wool  required  for  the  winter  clothing  of  my 
negroes  ; and  a stock  of  young  hoises  and  colts  fully  adequate  to  meet  the 
exigencies  of  my  plantation.  After  making  due  provision  for  all  these 
objects,  it  is  of  course  the  true  interest  of  every  planter  to  make  as  lar^e  a 
cotton  crop  as  he  can  without  over-working  bis  operatives.  In  doing  this{ 
however,  he  should  never  lose  sight  of  the  great  object  of  improving  the 
productive  power  of  his  estate,  instead  of  exhausting  it. 

To  this  end,  it  should  be  bis  constant  effort,  by  manuring  and  resting  the 
soil,  and  by  superior  cultivation,  to  produce  a given  result  from  the  smallest 
possible  number  of  acres.  It  is  scarcely  possible  to  over  estimate  the  value 
of  this  rule  in  the  actual  condition  of  the  old  planting  States.  Every  resource 
for  making  manure  should,  therefore,  be  improved  to  the  uttermost,  without 
begrudging  the  necessary  labor  and  attention.  No  labor  exerted  on  the  plan- 
tation is  half  so  well  rewarded.  Every  description  of  stock  should  be  reg- 
ularlarly  penned  every  night  in  yards  constantly  covered  with  straw,  leaves 
or  other  litter.  The  quantity  "of  manure  that  can  be  thus  made  in  a year  is 
quite  inconceivable  to  those  who  have  not  made  the  experiment.  Corn  should 
be  habitually  planted  in  old  land,  of  a quality  least  adapted  to  cotton,  and 
every  hill  should  be  thoroughly  manured,  scrupulously  avoiding  the  misera- 
ble economy  too  often  witnessed,  of  loseing  one  half  its  utility,  to  save  the 
inconsiderable  labor  required  to  apply  it  properly.  I can  bear  personal  testi- 
mony  that  by  these  means  the  crop  per  acre  can  be  invariably  doubled  on 
soils  originally  strong.  My  corn  is  principally  produced  on  level  lands  that 
were  considered  to  be  exhausted  when  they  came  into  my  possession,  and  yet 


110 


AGRICULTURAL 


by  thorough  an  ! careful  manuring,  I have  reduced  the  number  of  acres  cul- 
tivated in  corn  fully  one  half,  making  more  certain  and  abundant  crops  than 
I did  before  with  double  the  number  of  acres  and  more  than  double  the  labor 
of  cultivation.  All  the  manure  not  required  for  the  corn  crop,  should  be  ap- 
plied to  the  most  exhausted  of  the  cotton  lands,  and  it  should  be  made  an  in- 
variable rule,  both  in  regard  to  coiton  and  corn,  to  list  in  and  bury  all  the 
stalks  and  vegetable  matter  found  upon  the  soil.  My  experience  justifies 
the  belief  that  this  process  alone,  if  commenced  before  the  soil  is  too  far  ex- 
hausted, will  perpetuate  if  not  improve  the  fertility  of  originally  strong  and 
level  lands,  though  constantly  cultivated  in  cotton.  In  fact,  vegetable  matter, 
as  it  was  the  principal  element  in  the  original  formation  of  soils,  so  it  must 
be  in  their  restoration  and  preservation.  Nature  beneficiently  provides  it  to 
our  hands  ; but  we  too  often  destroy  it  as  if  it  were  a nuisance,  while  we 
vainly  employ  our  speculations  and  direct  our  researches  as  to  find  out  some 
more  scientific  means  of  improvement.  3n  proportion  as  the  quantity  of 
land  required  for  cotton  and  corn  is  diminished  by  the  means  proposed,  will 
that  be  increased  which  is  left  fallow,  and  for  small  grain.  These,  after  one 
year’s  rest  in  good  soils,  and  always  before  they  become  covered  with  broom 
sedge,  should  be  fallowed  in  the  autumn,  carefully  turning  in  all  the  stubble 
and  weeds,  with  two  horse  ploughs  adapted  to  the  purpose. 

On  the  process  of  cultivation,  one  or  two  remarks  may  not  be  unappropri- 
ately  made  in  this  connexion.  One  of  the  most  prominent  obstacles,  both  to 
a system  of  good  cultivation  and  to  a 9yst  m of  permanent  improvements, 
is  the  common  practice  of  over-planting.  It  may  be  not  unaptly  denominat- 
ed a sytem  of  wear  and  tear , in  regard  to  land,  negros,  horses  and  mules. 
As  one  of  its  inevitable  consequences,  a planter  almost  certainly  finds  him- 
self, wh ;n  the  seasons  are  in  any  degree  unfavorable,  in  that  uncomfortable 
condition  usually  expressed  by  saying  “ he  is  desperately  in  the  grass.”  No 
man  deserves  the  name  of  planter  who  gets  into  this  predicament,  except  in 
very  extraordinary  seasons,  any  more  than  he  deserves  the  name  of  general, 
who  carelessly  permits  himself  to  be  surprized  and  surrounded  by  an  enemy. 
For,  though  the  one  may  work  his  way  out  of  the  grass,  as  the  other  may  cut 
his  way  out  of  the  toils  of  his  adversary,  yet  it  is  the  hard  knocks  and  sweat 
of  the  laborers  in  the  one  case,  and  the  valor  and  blood  of  the  soldiers  in  the 
other,  that  imperfectly  atone  for  the  incompetency  of  the  manager  and  of 
the  commander.  It  is  tny  confident  belief  that  when  even  one  half  of  the 
crop  is  permitted  to  become  grassy,  the  future  cultivation  of  the  whole  will 
require  double  the  labor  that  would  have  been  otherwise  necessary,  and  with 
all  that,  it  will  be  impossible  t > make  a full  crop,  especially  of  cotton.  In  our 
climate  and  soil  in  the  upper  country,  the  only  means  of  avoiding  an  immense 
destruction  of  immature  bolls,  by  the  autumn  frosts,  is  to  push  the  growth  of 


PROCEEDINGS. 


Ill 


the  cotton  from  the  beginning,  by  thinning  and  preparing  it  to  mature  as 
early  as  it  can  be  safely  done,  arid  never  permitting  its  growth  to  be  delayed 
for  a single  day  by  want  of  working.  Fur  what  is  lost  in  this  way  can  nev- 
er be  recovered  ; and  I have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  six  acres  of  cotton 
to  the  hand,  properly  cultivated,  will  produce  a greater  result  with  one  half 
the  labor  than  ten  acres  to  the  hand,  cultivated  in  the  rough  and  imperfect 
manner  but  too  common  even  in  this  State,  and  generally  prevalent  in  some 
others.  In  adopting  it  as  a rule,  therefore,  to  plant  no  larger  crop  than  he 
can  cultivate  in  the  most  perfect  manner, a planter  will  best  consult  every  view  tit 
sound  economy,  and  even  the  predominant  desire  to  make  a large  cotton  crop. 

In  the  cultivation  of  a crop,  I know  no  rule  more  important,  and  which  is 
more  generally  violated,  than  that  of  doing  your  work  thoroughly  well,  cog 
what  labor  it  may.  More  labor  is  unprotitably  wasted,  and  more  crops  injur- 
ed, by  bad  cultivation,  from  neglecting  this  rule,  than  from  any  other  cause. 
The  last  strokes  of  labor  required  to  complete  any  operation,  are  doubly,  often 
ten  times  as  valuable,  as  those  used  in  the  previous  stages  of  it ; and  yet 
these  are  the  very  strokes  usually  omitted,  in  an  improvident  haste  to  ‘get 
over  the  crop,’  as  it  is  expressed.  The  very  causes  which  generally  tempt 
managers  to  slight  the  work — wet  weather  and  grass  for  example — are  those 
which  most  imperiously  demand  the  strict  observance  of  the  rule  I have  laid 
down. 

One  of  the  consequences  of  over-c roping  and  bad  working  which  is  most 
to  he  deprecated,  is  the  necessity  they  create,  and  the  apology  they  offer,  for 
permanently  injuring  the  soil  by  excessive  ploughing,  and  what  is  still  worse, 
ploughing  in  improper  seasons.  1 believe  that  it  may  be  truly  said  that  in 
the  upper  country  at  least,  double  the  quantity  of  ploughing  is  done  in  culti- 
vating  cotton,  that  can  be  justified  by  any  sound  theory.  Every  ploughing 
which  turns  up  fresh  soil  to  the  burning  rays  of  a summer  sun,  must  tend  to 
exhaust  its  fertility.  But  it  is  more  important  to  remark,  that  nothing  which 
folly  can  inflict  on  the  soil,  will  so  certainly  reduce  it  to  a mere  caput  mortuum, 
as  the  murderous  practice  of  ploughing  it  in  wet  weather.  There  is  but  one 
way  for  a planter  to  avoid  these  evils,  and  that  is  by  so  planning  and  so  con- 
ducting his  operations,  as  to  he  habitually  ahead  with  his  work. 

I have  thus,  gentlemen,  drawn  up  a hasty  and  imperfect  sketch,  presenting 
for  your  consideration  the  most  prominent  of  those  measures  and  maxima 
which  I deem  to  be  essential  for  accomplishing  that  reform  in  the  agricultural 
economy  of  South  Carolina,  so  imperiously  demanded  by  the  circumstances 
in  which  she  is  now  placed.  Our  cultivated  lands  are  in  a course  of  exhaus- 
tion, and  we  have  scarcely  any  forest  lands  to  clear.  Though  these  seem  to 
he  public  misfortunes,  they  may  In  converted  into  blessings  if  we  will  but  re- 
alize our  true  condition,  and  properly  improve  the  occasion.  By  a law  of 


ACRlC't-LTUKAL 


* 


our  nature — expressed  by  a proverb  of  immemorial  antiquity— necessir.  is 
the  stern  parent  of  almost  every  great  and  useful  improvement.  No  author- 
ity less  imperious  could  have  drawn  mankind  from  the  comfortless  caverns 
of  savage  brutality,  to  the  happy  mansions  of  social  and  civilized  life. 

While  Providence  seems  to  have  ordained  it  as  a law  of  human  improve- 
ment, that  communities  should  not  go  forward  much  in  advance  of  their  ne; 
cessities,  he  has  benevolently  endowed  them  with  moral  and  intellectual  fac- 
ulties always  equal  to  the  emergencies  in  which  they  may  be  placed.  May 
we  not  confidently  hope,  therefore,  that  the  planters  of  South  Carolina,  under 
the  awakening  influence  of  the  great  law  to  which  I have  alluded,  will  sum- 
mon up  all  their  energies  to  carry  our  agriculture  to  a point  of  high  perfoc* 
tion,  that  will  fulfil  all  the  requirements  of  our  actual  condition  ? 

Gentlemen,  I sincerely  hope  and  devoutly  pray  that  some  of  us,  at  least, 
may  live  to  see  the  day  when  this  ardent  hope  of  every  patriotic  citizen  will 
be  fully  realized,  and  when  South  Carolina  will  be  as  proudly  distinguished 
by  all  the  enduring  monuments  of  a prosperous  agriculture,  as  she  ever  has 
been  by  an  enlightened  population  sincerely  devoted  to  the  principles  of  con 
stitutional  liberty, and  unconquerably  resolved  to  defend  them* 


MEMOIR 


ON  THE  COTTON  PLANT, 

AST  THE  HON.  WHITE  HARSH  B,  SEASROOK. 

Read  before  the  Stale  Agricultural  Society,  or.  the  6th  December,  1843. 


Cotton,*  from  the  Arabic  word  Koton,  is  the  spontaneous  production  oi 
all  the  intertropical  regions.  Of  the  four  great  materials  designed  by  Provi- 
dence for  human  clothing,  it  is  believed  that  none  were  assigned  to  Europe. 
To  Asia  was  given  all— cotton,  flaxf,  the  sheep, £ and  silk  worm;§  and  to 
Africa  and  America,  cotton  and  flax.  It  is  remarkable,  too,  that  of  these, 
the  one  which  was  obviously  designed  to  be  the  most  extensively  useful,  was 
the  last  to  be  generally  diffused.  For  many  centuries  the  growth  and  man- 
ufacture of  cotton  were  confined  exclusively  to  India.  The  total  silence  of 
the  Hebrew  writers,  and  the  very  slight  notices  to  be  found  in  Greek  and 

^German  Kallanwolle,  Baumicolie Dutch,  Ketoen , Boomicol ; Danish,  Bomald ; Swed- 
ish, Bomidl;  Italian,  Cotone,  Bombagia;  Spanish,  Algodon;  Portuguese,  Algodno,  Algo- 
deiro ; Russian,  Chlobts-chataza  bumbga;  Polish,  Bc.wd.na ; Georgian,  Bomby , Bamba; 
Latin,  Gossypium;  Greek,  Bombyx  Yylon;  Mongol,  Kobung;  Hindoo,  Ruhi;  Malay, 
Kapas;  Indian,  Kopa;  Chinese,  Gay-Utiung , iJoa-Aftsn.— Skinner,  the  etymologist, 
says  that  cotton  is  so  called  from  its  similitude  to  the  down  which  adheres  to  the  quince, 
mails  cydoniis,  which  the  Italians  call  cotogni,  and  entire  manifestly  a cydonis. 

Gossypium,  or  cotton,  a genus  of  the  polyandria  order,  belongiug  to  the  monodelphia 
class  of  plants;  and  in  the  natural  method  of  ranking  under  the  37 th  order,  Columnifera. 
Encydopaedia  Britannia,  tot.  8,  p.  21. 

tFlax  is  indigenous  in  Egypt,  and  also  in  America. — Clavigero’s  Mexico,  pp.  25, 26. 

fThe  sheep  fOvisJ  the  Argali  ol  Siberia.  This  animal  inhabits  the  mountains  or  al  l 
Asia, and  becomes  as  large  as  a fallow  deer.  It  is  from  the  Mouflon,  or, the  Argali,  that 
we  are  supposed  to  derive  the  numerous  races  of  our  woolly  animals,  which  next  to  the 
dog.  seem  most  subject  to  vary. — Cuvier  s Animal  Kingdom,  tot.  4 th,  pp.  26,  27. 

§ Silk  was  first  made  in  China.  Silk  worms  with  the  art  of  manufacturing  their  pro 
duce  were  brought  from  China  to  Constantinople  by  two  Persian  Monks,  in  the  reign  of 
Justinian,  A.  D.  552. 


8 


114 


AGRICULTURAL 


Roman*  literature  concerning  the  wool-bearing  shrub,  + are  to  be  ascribed  to 
the  utter  unacquaintance  of  the  nations  bordering  on  the  Mediterranean 
with  the  populous  countries  beyond  the  Indus.  Even  after  a considerable 
traffic  had  grown  up  between  Rome  and  the  East,  cotton,  as  a textile  ma- 
terial,  excited  no  particular  interest,  nor  more  than  a passing  remark  by  the 
scientific  inquirer.  In  the  omission  also  of  the  writers  of  the  middle  ages 
to  mention  cotton  stuffs,  while  enumerating  the  vestments  in  common  use, 
it  is  to  be  inferred  that  woollen,  linen,  and  silk,  of  which  they  continually 
speak,  then  constituted  the  customary  wear  of  the  people.  We  learn  from 
Nearchus,  Alexander’s  Admiral,  who  (327  B.  C.)  descended  the  Indus,  that 
64  the  Indians  wore  garments,  the  substance  whereof  they  were  made  grow- 
ing upon  trees;  and  this,”  he  says,  “is  indeed  flax,  or  rather  something 
much  whiter  and  finer  than  fiax.”  Herodotus,  (445  B,  C.)  the  father  of  his- 
tory, evidently  supposed  that  the  cotton  plant  was  limited  solely  to  India. 
“ The  inhabitants  of  that  country,”  he  states,  “ make  their  clothes  of  the 
product  of  a certain  plant,  which,  instead  of  fruit,  produces  wool,  of  a finer 
and  better  quality  than  that  of  sheep  ” 

On  the  authority  of  Strabo,  who  was  cotemporary  with  our  Saviour,  cot- 
ton grew  in  the  Persian  province  of  Susiana.  We  are  informed  by  Plinv, 
who  lived  about  A.  D.  75,  that  in  the  earliest  ages,  when  cotton  fabrics  were 
worn  only  by  the  Indians,  the  dress  of  the  Babylonians  was  of  linen  and  wool, 
and  of  the  Egyptians,  linen4  It  was  not  until  the  Christian  era  that  the  in- 
troduction of  the  cotton  plant  into  the  country  of  the  latter  took  place.§  “ In 
Upper  Egypt  towards  Arabia,”  he  says,  “there  grows  a shrub  called  gos- 
sypiuro, by  others  oxylon,  from  which  the  stuffs  are  made  that  we  call  xyli- 
na.  It  is  small,  and  bears  a fruit  resembling  the  filbert,  within  which  is  a 
downy  wool,  which  is  spun  into  thread.  There  is  nothing  to  be  preferred  to 
these  stuffs  for  whiteness  or  softntss:  beautiful  garments  are  made  from 

* Virgil,  in  the  second  Georgic,  clearly  alludes  lo  the  cotton  plant  in  the  following  lines: 
“ Shall  I sing  of  the  groves  of  Ethiopia,  hoary  with  soft  wool ; and  how  the  Seres,”  (a 
people  of  India,)  “ comb  out  the  delicate  fleece  from  among  the  leaves?” 

tFrom  its  resemblance  to  the  fleece  of  sheep,  the  first  material  probably  made  into  cloth, 
it  was  called  the  “ wool  of  trees.”  In  the  markets  of  the  world,  it  is  designated  “cotton 
wool.” 

JThe  microscopic  examinations  of  Lewenhoeck  conclusively  show,  that  the  tnumtny 
cloth  of  Egypt  was  composed  entirely  of  linen. 

§The  cultivation  of  cotton  had  long  been  discontinued  in  Egypt,  when  Mebemet  Alir 
about  the  year  1823,  renewed  the  enterprize  with  a spirit  indicative  of  a vigorous  and  sa- 
gacious mind.  The  first  year,  60  bags  were  produced;  in  1836,  as  high  as  180,391  b3gs 
were  exported  to  Europe.  Oflate  years  the  quantity  grown  has  been  inconsiderable, 
and  as  the  culture  of  the  crop  depends  on  the  capricious  determination  of  the  Pacha,  no 
judgmentcan  be  formed  of  the  future  supplies  from  that  country.  (See  Tables  3 and  4 in 
the  Appendix.) 


PROCEEDINGS. 


115 


them  for  the  Priests  of  Egypt.  ’ The  same  writer  enumerates,  among  the 
productions  of  the  Island  of  Tylos,  in  the  Persian  Gulph,  “ wool-bearing  trees 
that  bear  a fruit  like  a gourd,  and  of  the  size  of  a quince,  which,  bursting 
when  it  is  ripe,  displays  a ball  of  downy  wool,  from  which  are  made  costly 
garments  of  a fabric  resembling  linen.”  It  is  probable,  remarks  a late  wri. 
ter,  as  the  soil  of  Arabia  is  unadapted  to  the  raising  of  flax,  and  the  climate 
too  hot  for  the  fine  fleece  of  sheep,  that  cotton  was  applied  to  clothing  pur- 
poses in  the  infancy  of  the  human  race.  It  is  certain,  however,  that,  at  the 
time  of  the  Hegira,  A.  D.  622,  cotton  cloth  was  a common  material  of 
dress.  The  next  authentic  account  of  the  cotton  plant  is  derived  from  Mar- 
co Polo,  who  visited  many  countries  of  Asia  as  the  confidential  agent  of 
the  Tartar  conqueror  of  China.  He  saw  cotton  growing  abundantly  in  Mosul, 
opposite  the  ancient  Ninevah,  in  Persia,  and  at  Guzzerat,  in  which  latter 
place  it  was  produced  from  a tree  “ six  yards  high,  which  bore  twenty  years.” 
After  the  time  of  the  Venetian  traveller,  but  before  the  14th  century,  the 
evidence  is  satisfactory,  that  the  wool  of  the  gossypium  was  the  staple  man- 
ufacture of  Arabia,  Persia,  and  all  the  Provinces  on  the  Indus.  Notwith- 
standing the  proximity  of  China  to  India,  and  the  commercial  intercourse 
between  them,  it  was  not  until  the  1 1th  century,  that  the  herbaceous  cotton, 
which  four  hundred  years  before  had  been  raised  in  gardens  for  the  beauty 
of  its  flowers,  was  grown  for  domestic  use.  So  slow  was  its  progress  among 
the  industrious  and  skilful  people  of  that  Empire,  then  distinguished  for  their 
knowledge  of  the  arts,*  that  two  centuries  elapsed  before  it  constituted  one 
of  the  staple  crops  of  the  country.  China  is  now  an  importer  of  the  wool. 
About  70  years  ago,  the  lands  cultivated  in  cotton,  in  consequence  of  the 
alarming  scarcity  of  provisions,  were  appropriated  to  the  raising  of  corn  by 
command  of  the  supreme  authority. 

Although  cotton  is  indigenous  in  Africa,  and  grows  luxuriantly  and  plen- 
tifully, especially  in  its  central  and  western  parts,  yet  there  are  strong  reasons 
for  concluding  that  the  knowledge  of  its  husbandry  was  spread  among  the 
people  of  that  Continent,  north  of  the  Equator,  by  the  early  followers  of  Mo- 
hammed. No  authentic  notices  of  the  progress  of  its  tillage  exist  until  the 
15th  century,  when  it  was  not  only  extensively  grown,,  but  the  fleece  was 
manufactured,  by  the  Caffres,  by  the  Moors  at  Cofala,  by- the- inhabitants  of 
the  coast  of  Guinea,  and  along  nearly  the  whole  northern  shores- of  the  Med- 
iterranean. 

Spain  was  the  first  nation  in  Europe  that  cultivated  the  cotton  plant,  and 
manufactured  clothing  from  its  produce.  Both  occurred  in  the  lOthieentu- 


*The  Chinese  were  the  original  manufacturers  of  silk,  paper  and  sugar.  They,  too; 
first  practiced  the  art  of  printing,  and  were  the  first  acquainted  with  the  properties  of  the- 
magnet,  and  the  composition  of  gun-powder.J 


116 


AGRICULTURAL 


ry.  The  Moors  who  were  mingled  with  the  Arabs  at  the  Spanish  conquest, 
says  De  Maries,  brought  with  them  the  husbandry  of  rice  and  cotton,  of  the 
mulberry  tree  and  the  sugar  cane.  In  the  year  1050,  the  Priests  of  San 
Adveno  were  authorized  to  let  their  church  lands  for  its  cultivation.  Soon 
afterwards  it  appeared  in  Italy,  particularly  along  the  shores  of  the  Gulph  of 
Taranto.  It  was  then  gradually  extended  to  Greece,  and  the  adjacent  coun- 
tries.  In  the  16th  century,  it  was  produced  in  the  vicinity  of  Hyeres,  and 
elsewhere  in  the  southern  parts  of  France. 

Columbus,  Magellan,  Drake,  Cavendish,  Dampier,  Van  Noort,  and  indeed 
all  the  earlier  voyagers,  with  one  exception,  concur  in  representing  that,  in 
the  decoration  of  their  persons,  or  where,  from  the  coldness  of  the  climate, 
some  covering  to  the  body  was  necessary,  the  aborigines  of  the  Western 
Continent,  among  other  materials,  used  cotton.  Several  of  them  moreover 
•saw  “cotton  growing  wild  and  in  great  abundance”  in  the  West  India  Islands 
and  on  the  continent.  The  Patagonians  tied  up  their  hair  with  “ cotton  lace,” 
and  so  plentiful  was  the  vegetable  wool  in  Brazil,  that  the  inhabkants  made 
theirjbeds  of  it.  In  St.  Salvador,  where  Columbus  first  landed,  the  Spaniards, 
who  describe  the  women  as  dressed  in  short  “cotton  coals,”  exchanged  caps, 
beads,  and  other  toys  for  “cotton  yarn.”  On  this  Island  cotton  was  seen 
“ growing  of  itself.”  In  the  fabrication  of  cotton  and  other  cloths,  the  Mex- 
icans displayed  so  much  ingenuity  and  neatness,  as  to  create  a doubt  in  the 
minds  of  their  'conquerors,  whether  the  European  artists  could  surpass  or 
even  equal  them  in  that  branch  of  industry.  Among  the  presents  sent  to 
Charles  V.  by  Cories,  were  cotton  cloths  of  exquisite  fabric,  dyed  in  various 
colours.  Even  as  far  north  as  the  Mes-chacebe,  or  Mississippi,  the  earlier 
explorers  of  that  river  and  its  tributary  streams,  saw  “ cotton  growing  wild 
in  the  codd  and  in  great  plenty.”*  These  facts,  and  they  might  be  almost 
indefinitely  multiplied,  are  introduced  to  rebut  the  opinion,  founded  on  the 
negative  testimony  of  Capt.  Cook,  that  lhegossypium  is  not  a native  of  the 
Western  Hemisphere.  That  celebrated  voyager  found  no  cotton  between 
New  Zealand,  36  deg.  South.,  and  the  Sandwich  Islands,  20  deg.  North. 
In  addition  to  flax  and  the  bark  of  the  mulberry  tree,  in  which  Capt.  Cook 
says  the  inhabitants  of  those  regions  were  habited,  the  natives  nearly  all 
over  the  continent  certainly  used,  as  articles  of  dress,  besides  cotton,  feathers, 
the  wool  of  rabbits,  the  maguei,  a fibrous  plant,  and  silk  grass. 

TheGossypium  was  cultivatod  by  the  Dutch  in  Surinam  in  1733.  The 
precise  time  of  its  existence,  as  a staple  commodity,  in  the  West  Indies  is 
uncertain,  though  it  probably  occurred  early  in  the  17th  century.  The 
presumption  is  against  its  having  been  the  produce  of  Hispaniola  as  early  as 

*A  description  of  the  English  Province  of'Carolina,  by  the  Spaniards  called  Florida,  and 
by  the  French,  La  Louisiana,  by  Dan.  Coxe,  pp.  81.  62, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


117 


1562,  as  William  Hawkins,  the  Englishman,  who  carried  to  that  Island  a car- 
go of  negro  slaves,  the  first  ever  brought  to  the  Western  world,  received  in 
exchange  for  them  only  “ pearls,  hides,  sugar  and  ginger.”  From  a few  of 
the  tables  of  exports,  to  which  alone  on  this  head  access  has  been  had,  it  ap- 
pears that,  in  1726,  cotton  was  one  of  the  staple  crops  of  Hispaniola,  and[l] 
that,  in  1753,  Jamaica  exported  2000  bags,  and,  in  1769,  to  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  2211  bags  of  200  pounds  weight,  and  to  North  America 252[2] 
bags.  On  an  average  of  eight  years,  from  1740,  1748,  among  the  exports 
of  Barbadoes  600  bags  of cotton  are  included.  In  1787,  the  Islands  of  St. 
Domingo, [3]  St.  Christopher,  Grenada,  Dominica,  Antigua,  Montserrat  and 
Nevis,  and  the  Virgin  Islands,  were  exporters  of  this  commodity.  Before 
1803,  in  which  year  Jamaica  did  not  grow  one  bag  for  exportation,  there 
were  five  varieties  ofgossypium  planted  in  the  West  Indies,  viz. — the  com- 
mon Jamaica,  the  brown  bearded,  the  nankeen,  the  French  or  small  seed, 
and  the  kidney  or  Brazil  cotton. [4]  The  interest  on  capital  in  the  raising  of 
the  lowest  priced  cotton  in  the  British  West  India  Islands  in  1785,  ’86,  and 
’87,  was  14  per  cent., [5]  but  in  St.  Domingo,  where  finer  cotton  was  pro- 
duced, applying  the  same  calculations,  it  was  24  per  cent. [6] 

The  materials  forobtaming  a correct  knowledge  of  the  ancient  general  his- 
tory of cotton  are  so  meagre,  that  the  short  account  just  concluded,  embraces 
substantially  all  that  is  known  on  this  interesting  subject. 

Of  the  two  kinds  cultivated  in  the  United  States,  the  green  seed  or  short 
staple  cotton[7]  is  derived  from  the  Herbaceum  or  herbaceous  cotton,  and  the 

1 Burke’s  Account  of  the  European  Settlements  in  America,  p.  15. 

2 Edwards’  West  Indies,  vol.  i.  p.  257. 

3 On  an  average  of  the  years  1787,  ’83,  and ’89,  the  exports  of  cotton  from  the  French 
part  of  St.  Domingo,  were  6,793,858  lbs. 

4The  first  import  ofcotton  into  England  from  the  Brazils,  was  in  1781. 

5 Edwards’  West  Indies,  vol.  iii.  p.  95.  This  large  interest  was  the  result  of  the  prices, 
viz:  Is  3 d.  sterling  per  pound,  and  not  the  production,  which  averaged  only  aboutlOOlbs. 
per  acre. 

6 Ibid.  The  price  of  cotton  wool  of  St.  Domingo  was 2s  per  lb. 

7 It  should  be  called,  says  Dr.  Ure,  fiuticosum,  shrubby,  because  its  stem  is  woody  and 
not  herbaceous.  It  is  distinguished  from  the  other  species  of  gossypiumby  having  the  five 
lobes  of  its  leaves  rounded  and  terminated  with  a sharp  point.  Its  capsule  is  three  or  five 
celled  ; each  cell  contains  about  five  seeds  of  an  ash  colour.  The  stems,  which  increase  in 
hardness  and  size  with  the  heat  of  the  climate,  are  somewhat  reddish  near  their  lower  part, 
velvety  or  hairy  towards  the  top,  and  variegated  with  black  points.  The  branches  are 
short;  the  leaves  green,  soft,  pretty  large  and  divided  into  five  short  lobes.  The  axillary 
peduncles  towards  the  extremity  of  the  boughs  end  in  a large  beautiful  yellow  flower; 
the  three  leaflets  of  the  flore,  or  cup,  are  large,  and  deeply  toothed  on  their  edges.  Urt, 
pp.  63,  64. 


118 


AGRICULTURAL 


Hirsutum  or  hairy  American  cotton  ; the  long  staple  or  black  seed  cotton  [1] 
is  derived  from  the  Arboreum  or  tree  cotton.  The  former  was  certainly 
grown  in  Virginia,  in  a limited  way,  at  least  one  hundred  and  thirty  years 
before  the  Revolution.  Several  of  the  early  Governors  of  that  Colony  used 
diligent  efforts  to  secure  the  fabrication  of  certain  articles,  which,  it  was  be- 
lieved,  it  could  profitably  raise  ; and  the  introduction  and  culture  of  new 
crops,  among  which  was  cotton  ; but  their  designs  were  thwarted,  as  well 
by  the  unjust  and  tyrannous  conduct  of  the  mother  country,  as  by  the  op- 
position of  the  tillers  of  the  soil,  who,  in  a matter  so  important  to  themselves? 
had  the  boldness  to  consult  what  they  held  to  be  their  true  interests.  Sir 
William  Berkley,  his  Deputy,  Francis  Morrison,  and  Sir  Edmund  Andros, 
were  particularly  prominent  in  not  only  advising  the  people  to  diversify  the 
products  of  the  field,  but  to  engage  in  the  manufacture  of  hemp,  flax,  salt 
and  potash. [2]  Resolved  to  make  a commercial  profit  of  the  plantations, 
Cromwell,  by  his  celebrated  navigation  act,  prohibited  them  from  receiving 
or  exporting  any  European  commodities,  but  what  should  be  carried  to  them 
by  Englishmen  or  English  built  ships.  They  were  absolutely  forbid  corres- 
ponding with  any  nation  or  colony,  not  subject  to  the  crown  of  England. 
These  restraints  proving  ineffectual,  another  act  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II. 
was  passed,  by  which  the  Colonies  could  have  no  foreign  goods,  which  were 
not  first  landed  in  England,  and  carried  directly  from  thence  to  the  planta- 
tions. As  the  effects  of  these  edicts  was  to  raise  the  value  ot  European 
goods,  and  depress  that  of  tobacco,  several  abortive  attempts  were  made  by 
the  Assembly  of  Virginia  to  prevent  the  planting  of  that  crop  for  one  year, 
and  during  that  time  to  invite  the  people  to  turn  their  thoughts  to  manufac- 
tures, and  the  cultivation  of  other  crops,  cotton  included.  Land  being  abun- 
dant, and  obtainable  on  easy  terms,  and  the  belief  prevailing  that  the  mother 
country  would  soon  remove  all  unnecessary  restrictions  on  trade,  and  pro- 
mote in  a more  certain  and  permanent  form  the  culture  of  tobacco,  they  per- 
tinaciously refused  to  divert  their  capital  into  a new  channel,  and  saw'  no  ne- 
cessity for  adopting  the  last  recommendation  of  the  local  government.  The 
“ paternal  command”  of  Charles  I.,  that  the  planters  should  make  no  more 
than  100  lbs.  of  tobacco  per  man,  on  the  ground  that  he  could  not  afford  to 
give  them  above  3s.  the  pound  for  it,  they  had  affectionately  resisted  so  far  as 
the  obstacles  in  their  way  permitted  them : it  was  not  therefore  to  be  sup- 
posed that  they  would  now  curtail  their  field  labours  in  relation  to  their 

ICalyx  cup-shaped,  obtusely  five-toothed ; inclosed  in  a three-cleft  exterior  calyx  ; the 
leaflets  united  at  their  base,  of  a heart  shape,  and  toothed;  stigmas  three  to  five;  capsules 
three  to  five-celled,  and  many  seeded  ; seeds  bearing  a downy  wool.  Ure,  p.  CO. 

2 History  of  Virginia,  by  a native  and  inhabitant  of  the  place  ; published  in  1722.— pp: 
50,  90,92- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


119 


favorite  product,  the  foreign  demand  for  which  was  annually  increasing. 
When,  however,  necessity  constrained  them  to  try  the  expedient  of  fabri- 
cating cloth,  other  than  hemp  and  flax,  for  family  use,  strong  opposition  was 
quickly  manifested.  Francis  Nicholson,  Governor  of  Virginia  in  1698, 
“ recommended  to  Parliament  to  pass  an  act  forbidding  the  plantations  to 
make  their  own  clothing;  in  other  words,  that  the  planters  shall  go  naked. ”[1] 
In  reference  to  Carolina,  the  conduct  of  the  Colonial  authorities  to  the  plant- 
ers was  perhaps  unexceptionable.  From  physical  causes,  their  labour,  it 
was  foreseen,  could  never  come  in  competition  with  that  of  Britain.  From 
the  inaptitude  of  Europeans  for  the  labour  requisite  in  such  a climate,  and 
more  especially  for  the  crops  suitable  to  the  soil  of  an  uncleared  and  heavi- 
ly timbered  country,  added  to  the  utter  ignorance  of  many  of  the  emigrants 
in  the  art  of  agriculture,  and  the  unacquaintance  of  all  with  the  productions 
most  likely  to  reward  their  labour,  the  earlier  settlers,  though  living  in  a 
higher  latitude,  continued  to  cultivate  the  same  crops  in  Carolina  that  they 
had  done  in  England  ; and  thus,  by  exhausting  their  strength  in  fruitless 
struggles,  continued  poor,  whilst  the  best  lands  were  procurable  at  the  rate 
of  one  thousand  acres  for  twenty  pounds  sterling.  Insensibly,  however,  they 
engaged  in  that  department  of  husbandry,  which,  while  it  required  little  ex- 
posure and  personal  strength,  served  to  supply  England  and  the  West  Indies 
with  such  articles  as  they  respectively  needed,  in  exchange  for  what  the 
Colony  was  unable  to  produce.  [2]  The  raising  of  silk  was  introduced  into  the 
country  by  Sir  Nathaniel  Johnson  about  the  year  1703.  The  mulberry  be- 
ing an  indigenous  tree,  and  the  great  demand  for  silk  in  England,  concurred 
to  render  this  an  encouraging  branch  of  industry.  In  1759,  10,000  lbs.  of 
silk  were  produced  in  this  State. [3]  The  growing  of  rice[4]  followed  the  busi- 
ness of  making  tar,  pitch  and  turpentine,  that  had  long  been  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal employments  of  the  land-owners.  To  this,  about  forty  years  after- 

1 Idem,  p.  92. 

2 To  Great  Britain  were  exported  furs,  deer  skins,  rosin,  tar,  pitch,  and  raw  silk,  in  ex- 
change for  woollen,  cotton  and  silk  goods,  arras,  ammunition,  and  agricultural  imple- 
ments; to  the  West  Indies,  beef,  pork,  butter,  candles,  soap,  tallow,  myrtle  wax  candles, 
pitch  and  tar,  cedar  and  pine  boards,  shingles,  hoops,  staves,  and  heads  for  barrels,  in  re- 
turn for  rum,  molasses,  sugar,  cotton,  chocolate  made  up,  and  cocoa  nuts. 

3 To  a very  rich  satin  damask,  now  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  F.  Rutledge  of  Charleston, 
the  following  memorandum  is  affixed : — “In  1753,  Mrs.  Pinckney  took  with  her  to  Eng- 
land a quantity  ofsilk  spun  from  worms  of  her  own  raising  at  Belmont,  near  Charleston. 
It  was  considered  by  the  manufacturers  equal  to  any  imported  from  Italy.  The  quantity 
was  sufficient  to  be  woven  into  three  dress  patterns  ; one  of  which  Mrs.  Pinckney  pre- 
sented to  the  Princess  Dowager  of  Wales,  mother  of  George  III. ; another  to  Lord  Ches- 
terfield, the  third  she  brought  back  to  America.” 

4 A bag  ot  rice  was  given  to  Landgrave  Smith,  in  1695,  by  the  Captain  of  a Brigantine 
from  Madagascar,  that  touched  at  Charleston  on  her  way  to  Britain.  The  Governor  di- 


120 


AGRICULTURAL 


wards,  was  added  Indigo,*  which  was  soon  extensively  grown  in  certain  lo- 
cations, where  it  continued  to  be  the  sole  staple  commodity  until  the  tobacco 
culture  began  to  be  attended  to.  Although  the  climate  and  soil  were  ex- 
perimentally known  to  be  well  adapted  to  the  cotton  plant,  yet,  as  before  the 
introduction  of  negroes,  other  crops  had  employed  the  time  of  the  planters, 
when  that  event  occurred,  rice  proved  to  be  so  lucrative  a business  that,  from 
1703,  it  engrossed  their  whole  strength  and  attention. 

In  the  infancy  of  the  Colony,  the  advice  of  the  Trustees  of  Georgia  to  the 
planters  to  cultivate  the  vine  and  mulberry  to  make  wine  and  silk,  because 
in  work  of  that  light  kind,  poor  women  and  children  might  be  usefully  and 
advantageously  employed,”  was  generally  unheeded.  Like  their  more  nor- 
thern neighbors,  they  obeyed  the  dictates  ol  their  own  will,  in  the  belief  that 
their  sagacity  would  soon  discover  the  shortest  way  of  arriving  at  the  goal  of 
their  desire.  They  continued,  therefore,  in  the  vocation  of  growing  rice  and 
indigo,  and  providing  naval  stores  for  the  West  India  and  English  trade  un- 
til the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  with  the  mother  country.  In  that  year, 
while  a cotton  patch  was  no  unusual  spectacle,  Col.  Delngall  of  South  Caro- 
lina, who  had  joined  Gen.  Oglethorpe,  as  Lieut.  Delagall,  cultivated  thirty 
acres  of  the  green  seed  kind,  near  Savannah. 

In  a pamphlet  of  the  date  of  1666,  entitled  “ A brief  description  of  the  Pro- 
vince of  Carolina  on  the  coast  of  Florida,”  the  writer  in  speaking  of  the  Cape 
Fear  settlements,  made  only  two  years  before,  says,  they  have  “indigo,  to- 
bacco, very  good,  and  cotton  wool.”  Dr.  Hewitt,  in  his  historical  account  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  while  commenting  on  the  introduction  of  silk 
into  the  former,  and  the  products  of  the  earth  for  which  premiums  ought 
then  to  have  been  given  to  those  who  should  bring  to  market  the  greatest 
quantities  of  them,  alludes  particularly  to  cotton,  and  after  detailing  the  man- 
ner of  planting  it,  remarks  that  this  article,  “ though  not  of  importance  enough 
to  have  occupied  the  whole  attention  of  the  Colonists,  might,  nevertheless,  in 

vided  the  rice  between  Stephen  Bull,  Joseph  Woodward,  and  some  oilier  friends,  who 
planted  their  small  parcels  in  different  soils. — Hcicitt’s  Historical  Account  of  South  Caro- 
lina and  Georgia. 

*Inl74l  or  ’42,  George  Lucas,  Governor  of  Aniigua,  sent  to  his  daughter  Eliza,  after- 
wards Mrs.  Pinckney,  the  distinguished  lady  alluded  to  in  note  p.  119,  some  seed,  as  an  ex- 
periment. From  its  produce  was  made  the  first  indigo  that  was  grown  in  South  Caro- 
lina. In  1745,  this  plant  was  discovered  growing  spontaneously  in  the  woods.  Two 
years  afterwards,  a large  quantity  of  indigo  (from  imported  seed  principally)  was  sent  to 
England,  which  induced  the  merchants  trading  to  Carolina  to  petition  Parliament  for  a 
bounty  on  Carolina  indigo. — Heicitt.  The  East  is  indebted  to  the  Western  continent  for 
this  plant. — The  high  bounties  of  the  British  Government,  assisted  by  the  knowledge  of  a 
Mr.  Gray,  once  the  overseer  of  John  Bowman  of  Charleston,  who  carried  to  Bengal  the 
American  mode  of  manufacturing  the  produce,  extended  its  growth  in  India. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


121 


conjunction  with  other  staples,  have  been  ren  lered  profitable  and  useful. ”[1] 
In  Wilson’s  account  of  the  “ Province  of  Carolina  in  America,”  published 
in  1682,  it  is  stated  that  cotton  of  the  Cyprus  and  Malta  sort  grosvs  well,  and 
a good  plenty  of  the  seed  is  sent  thither. ”[2]  In  Peter  Purry’s  description 
of  the  Province  of  Carolina,  drawn  up  in  Charleston,  in  1731,  “flax  and  cot- 
ton” are  said  to  “ thrive  admirably. ”[3]  In  the  Journal  ot  Mrs.  Pinckney, 
the  mother  of  Gen.  Thomas  and  Gen.  Charles  C.  Pinckney, [4] — who,  as  Miss 
Lucas,  when  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  was  intrusted  with  the  management 
of  the  planting  interest  of  her  father,  the  Governor  of  Antigua,  is  the  follow- 
ing memorandum  : — “ July  1,  1739,  Wrote  to  my  father  to-duy  a very  long 
letter  on  his  plantation  affairs — on  the  pains  I had  taken  to  bring  the  indigr* 
ginger,  cotton,  lucerne,  andcasada  to  perfection,  and  that  I had  greater  hopes 
from  the  indigo  than  any  other.”  “ June,  1741, — Wrote  again  to  my  father 
on  the  subject  of  indgo  and  cotton."  It  is  a well  authenticated  fact  that,  in 
1736,  as  far  north  as  the  39th  degree,  co;ton  on  “the  garden  scale”  was 
raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Easton,  in  the  county  of  Talbot,  on  the  eastern 
shore  of  the  Chesapeake  Bay. [5]  About  forty  years  afterwards,  it  was  culti* 
vated  in  St.  Mary’s  county,  Maryland,  and  in  the  northern  county  of  Cape 
May  in  New  Jersey — also  in  the  county  of  Sussex  in  Delaware.  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son, in  his  Notes  on  Virginia,  written  in  1781,  says,  “ during  this  time  we 
have  manufactured  within  our  families  the  most  necessary  articles  of  clothing. 
Those  of  cotton  will  bear  some  comparison  with  the  same  kinds  of  manufac- 
ture in  Europe;  but  those  of  flax,  hemp,  and  wool,  are  very  coarse,  unsight- 
ly, and  unpleasant.”  A short  time  before  the  Revolution,  a few  of  our  plant- 
ers by  growing  patches  of  cotton,  some  of  which  were  of  the  black  seed  kind, 
succeeded  in  clothing  not  only  their  families,  to  which  they  had  been  accus- 
tomed, but  also  their  slaves.  The  necessities  of  the  war,  and  the  state  of 
things  existing  for  sometime  after  it,  greatly  increased  the  number  of  the 
domestic  fabrications  of  the  wool  until  about  the  year  1790,  when  the  prac- 
tice of  using  homespun  for  plantation  purposes  became  very  common  in  the 
districts  and  upper  parishes.  The  yarn  was  spun  at  home,  and  sent  to  the 

1 Carroll’s  Historical  collections  ofSouth  Carolina,  Vol.  i.  p.  141. 

2 Idem,  vol.  ii.  p.  84. 

3 Idem,  vol.  ii.  p.  133.  Peter  Parry  was  a native  of  Switzerland,  and  the  founder  of 
Purrysburg.  In  the  reign  of  George  I.,  he  presented  a memorial  to  the  Duke  of  New- 
castle, then  Secretary  of  State,  in  which  he  sets  out  with  this  postulate,  that  “there  is  a 
certain  latitude  on  our  globe,  so  happily  tempered  between  the  extremes  ofheat  and  cold,  as 
to  be  more  peculiarly  adapted  than  any  other  for  certain  rich  productions  of  the  earth,” 
among  which  he  enumerates  silk,  cotton,  indigo,  &c.,  and  he  fixes  on  the  latitude  of  33 
deg.,  whether  north  or  south,  as  the  identical  one  for  that  peculiar  character. — Rees'  En- 
cyclopaedia, vol.  x. — Article  Cotton. 

4 See  Notes,  p.  119. 

5 American  Farmer,  pp.  8 and  9. 


122 


AGRICULTURAL 


nearest  weaver.  Among  the  manufacturing  establishments,  the  one  in  the 
vicinity  of  Murray’s  ferry  in  Williamsburg,  owned  by  Irish  settlers,  supplied 
the  adjacent  country.  The  cotton  for  the  spinning  process  was  prepared  in 
general  by  the  field  laborers,  who,  in  addition  to  their  ordinary  work,  picked 
the  seed  from  the  wool,  at  the  rate  of  4 lbs.  per  week. 

At  the  Convention  at  Annapolis,  in  1786,  Mr.  Madison  in  a conversation 
with  Tench  Coxe,  concerning  the  cotton  husbandry,  remarked  that,  “ from 
the  garden  practice  in  Talbot,  and  the  circumstances  of  the  same  kind 
abounding  in  Virginia,  there  was  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  United  States 
would  one  day  become  a great  cotton  producing  country.”  The  evidence 
then  existing  on  this  subject,  especially  the  interesting  fact,  that  during  our 
struggle  for  Independence,  Philadelphia  had  been  furnished  with  native  cot- 
ton, worth  two  shillings  sterling  per  pound,  enough  for  the  limited  home  con- 
sumption, and  the  information  communicated  to  Gen.  Thomas  Proctor  of 
that  city  by  Richard  Leake  of  Georgia,  removed  all  doubt  in  reference  to  the 
practicability  of  raising  the  gossypium,  as  a crop  on  a large  extent  of  the  At- 
lantic coast.  This  conviction  of  the  public  mind  soon  insensibly  led  to  the  be- 
lief, that  the  United  States  could  also  card  and  spin  its  fleece,  and  probably 
weave  it  by  water  power.  The  result  was  a mission  to  Great  Britain,  at 
the  expense  of  Tench  Coxe,  to  obtain  the  machinery,  and  all  the  information 
which  it  was  important  the  parties  should  possess.  The  influence  of  a man- 
ufacturing  society,  established  in  Philadelphia,  in  1787,  and  the  prevalent 
opinion,  that  the  raw  material  might  be  made  a profitable  source  ofrevenue, 
induced  Congress,  at  the  first  reformation  of  the  Tariff,  to  impose  a duty  of 
three  cents  a pound  on  foreign  cottons, [1]  with  which  the  United  States  were 
at  that  time  supplied  from  the  West  Indies  and  the  Brazils. 

That,  in  1792,  the  growth  of  cotton  in  this  country  was  unknown  to  Mr, 
Jay,  or  that  as  a commercial  article  it  was  deemed  of  little  value,  is  obvious 
from  the  fact,  that,  in  the  treaty  negotiated  by  him,  it  was  stipulated,  that 
no  cotton  should  be  imported  from  America.  The  object  of  that  diplomatist 
being  to  secure  to  the  English  the  carriage  of  the  West  India  cotton  to  its 
market  in  Europe.  This  is  the  reason  why  the  Senate  refused  to  ratify  the 
12th  article  of  that  treaty.  In  half  a century  how  wonderful  has  been  the 
revolution  effected  in  the  cotton  husbandry  of  the  United  States!  In  1792, 
the  entire  crop  was  138,328  lbs.;  in  1842,  985,221,800  lbs.  were  produced. (2) 


1 Niles’  Register,  Vol.  xxxii.p.  332. 

201  the  imports  of  cotton  into  Europe  from  North  America,  Egypt.  South  America,  the 
East  and  West  Indies,  in  1842,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  2,924,463  hales,  this  country 
furnished  2.379,460  bales,  or  more  than  three-fourths.— See  note  A.'m  and  table  4,  in 
the  Appendix. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


123 


The  first  Provincial  Congress  in  this  State,  held  in  January,  1775,  recom- 
mended to  the  inhabitants  to  plant  cotton,  but  their  recommendation  was  al- 
most entirely  disregarded.  The  whole  quantity  of  that  commodity,  prior  to 
1795,  exported  from  the  United  States  was  inconsiderable,  but  in  that  year  it 
amounted  to  6, 376, MOO  lbs :( 1 ) of  this,  the  proportion  contributed  by  South 
Carolina  was  1,109,653  pounds.(2) 

Among  the  exports  of  “ Charles  Town”  from  November,  1747,  to  Novem- 
ber, 1748,  are  included  7 bags  of  cotton  wool,  valued  at  31.  5d.  per  lag.(3) 
In  1754,  “ some  cotton”  was  again  exported  from  South  Carolina.[4]  In 
1770,  there  were  shipped  to  Liverpool,  three  bales  from  New  York,  four 
tales  from(Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  three  barrels  from  North  Carolina. [5] 
Before  the  Revolutionary  war,  Virginia  exported,  coimnunibus  annis,  hemp, 
flaxseed,  and  collon,  to  the  value  of  $8000.  In  1784,  an  American  vesse* 
that  carried  eight  bags  to  Liverpool,  was  seized  on  the  ground,  that  so  much 
cotton  could  not  be  the  -produce  of  the  United  States.  [6]  In  1785,  14  bags;  in 
1786,  6 bags;  in  1787,  109  bags  ; in  1788,  339  bags ; 1789,  842  bags  ; and 
in  1790,  81  bags  were  received  in  Europe  from  this  country:(7)  of  these,  153 
bags  were  sent  directly,  and  a portion  of  the  remainder  by  the  way  of  Phila- 
delphia and  New  York,  from  Charleston. (3)  The  first  bag  of  cotton,  sold  in 
South  Carolina,  was  purchased  in  1784,  by  John  Teasdale  from  Brian  Cape, 
then  a factor  in  Charleston.  The  first  bag  of  the  wool  exported  from  that 
City  to  Liverpool,  arrived  January  20th,  1785,  per  Diana,  and  was  consigned 
to  Messrs.  J.  & J.  Teasdale  & Co. (9)  The  exports  from  1790,  though  very 
much  mixed  up  with  foreign  cottons,  slowly  but  steadily  increased  until  1794, 
when  a powerful  impetus  was  given  to  the  cotton  culture  by  the  invention  of 
the  saw  gin  by  Eli  Whitney  of  Massachusetts.  (10)  This  ingenious  but  unfortu- 

1 The  year  1795  includes  some  foreign  cotton  in  the  export. 

2 In  Ramsay’s  history  of  North  Carolina,  the  amount  exported  is  erroneously  valued  at 
“ 1,109,653  pounds  sterling.” 

3 American  husbandry,  containing  an  account  of  the  soil,  climate,  productions  and  ag. 
riculture,  of  the  British  Colonies  in  North  America  and  the  West  Indies;  published  in 
London  inl775.  Vol.i.  p.437. 

4 Drayton’s  Memoirs  of  South  Carolina. 

5 Smither’s  Liverpool,  p.  155. 

6 Smither’s  Liverpool. 

7 See  note  B.  in  the  Appendix. 

8 Of  thel4  b ;gs  exported  to  Liverpool  in  1785,  ten  of  that  number  were  shipped  from 
Charleston  by  John  Teasdale.  So  short  was  the  crop  of  1789,  that  the  high  prices  alone 
induced  the  planters  to  continue  the  cultivation  of  cotton. 

9 Smither’s  Liverpool — Note  B. 

lOMr.  Miller  of  Georgia,  in  whose  house  he  lived  at  the  time  of  the  invention,  was  asso- 
ciated with  Whitney  in  his  labours.  The  letters  patent  bear  date,  October  28th,  1793. 


124 


AGRICULTURAL 


nate  artist,  who  by  his  machine  doubled  the  wealth  and  means  of  employment 
of  his  countrymen,  and  thereby  in  an  especial  manner  conferred  on  the  Plan- 
tation States  a benefit  that  can  scarcely  be  estimated  in  money, (l)  was  re- 
warded by  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  only.  The  first 
appropriated  $50,000  for  the  use  of  his  invention  within  her  limits ; the 
second  laid  a tax  for  five  years  of  2s.  6d.  upon  every  saw  in  every  gin  that 
was  mounted  within  its  jurisdiction  ; and  the  last  imposed  a tax  of  37£  cents 
upon  every  saw,  to  be  continued  for  four  jears.  Notwithstanding  these 
liberal  legislative  acts,  the  inventor  derived  no  pecuniary  benefit  from  his  gin. 
fie  expended  the  whole  amount  re  eived  from  South  Carolina  (from  the  other 
States  he  received  a mere  pittance,)  in  defending  himself  against  arbitrary 
and  vexatious  suits,  and  in  prosecutions  for  violations  of  his  patent  right. 
Over  the  grave  of  this  distinguished  benefactor  of  the  human  race,  a monu- 
ment is  erected,  with  this  simple  but  expressive  inscription — “ the  inventor 
of  the  saw  gin.” 

It  was  not  the  design  of  the  writer  to  speak  particularly  of  the  culture  of 
green  seed  cotton,  as  a crop,  in  South  Carolina,  but  having  gathered  a few 
interesting  facts  concerning  this  great  staple,  he  deems  it  his  duty  to  present 
them  to  the  Society.  The  history  of  this  and  the  black  seed  cottons  is  in- 
deed intimately  blended.  The  growing  of  the  former  in  this  country  for  ex- 
portation was  begun  but  a few  years  before  that  of  the  latter;(2)  the  same  ma- 
chine for  extracting  the  seed  from  the  wool  was  for  a long  while  employed  ; 
and  the  modes  of  cultivation  and  preparation,  with  one  exception, (3)  including 
the  manner  of  packing  the  bag,  were  also  the  same. 

As  a preliminary  point,  it  may  be  asked,  whence  came  the  seed  of  this 
cotton,  now  so  extensively  cultivated  in  the  United  States  ? This  question  is 
probably  not  susceptible  of  a positive  and  unexceptionable  answer.  That  it 
was  not  brought  from  India  is  perhaps  obvious.  The  policy  of  the  East  In- 
dia Company,  who  obtained  their  monopoly  in  the  year  1600,  was  unques- 
tionably adverse  to  the  exportation  of  cotton  seed.  Indeed,  the  wool  itself 

1 “If we  should  assert,”  said  Judge  William  Johnson,  “that  the  benefits  of  this  inven- 
tion exceed  <$100,000,000,  we  can  prove  the  assertion  by  correct  calculation.” 

2 In  Georgia  the  long  staple  cotton  was  first  planted  for  market;  in  Virginia, South 
Carolina  and  North  Carolina,  the  short  staple  cotton. 

3 The  bow  string  operation.  A large  bow,  made  elastic  by  a complication  of  strings,  is 
put  in  contact  with  a heap  ofcotton;  the  workman  strikes  the  string  with  a heavy  wood- 
en mallet,  and  its  vibrations  open  the  knots  of  the  cotton,  shake  it  from  the  dust  and  dirt, 
and  raise  it  to  a downy  fleece.  The  bow,  says  Mr.  Baines,  in  his  history  of  the  cotton 
manufacture  of  Great  Britain,  has  been  used  immemorially  throughout  all  the  countries 
of  Asia,  and  has  its  appropriate  name  in  the  Arabic  and  other  languages.  In  this  country 
he  remarks,  it  was  first  employed  in  Georgia  ; hence  the  term,  still  applied  in  commerce, 
“ Bowed  Georgiacotton.” 


PROCEEDINGS. 


125 


was  not  first  exported  by  them.  This  was  done  by  the  privileged  merchants 
in  1798.  Individuals  would  scarcely  have  deemed  it  necessary  to  draw  from 
the  distant  East  that  which  was  obtainable  much  nearer  home,  and  of  a 
quality  too  greatly  to  be  preferred.  As  the  trade  in  the  raw  materia!  during 
the  larger  portions  of  the  periods  alluded  to,  was  confined  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean,  it  is  a legitimate  inference,  in  the  absence  of  positive  proof,  that, 
from  that  quarter,  the  nations  of  Europe,  owning  possessions  in  the  western 
hemisphere,  respectively  introduced  into  them  the  new  culture.  This  per. 
haps  was  especially  true  of  the  Low  Countries  and  of  England,  as,  in  1560, 
the  former  constituted  the  depot  of  cotton  goods  from  the  Levant ; and 
the  Turkish  trade,  of  which  Smyrna  was  the  seat,  was,  at  the  time  of  which 
we  speak,  the  most  important  to  the  latter.  Peter  Purry  is  represented  to 
have  brought  with  him,  among  other  seeds,  that  of  cotton.  This,  and  a pa. 
per  of  the  same  material,  received  by  the  Trustees  for  the  settlement  of 
Georgia,  from  Philip  Miller  of  Chelsea,  England,  it  can  scarcely  be  ques- 
tioned, were  from  the  Mediterranean.  Mr.  Wilson,  already  quoted,  says 
expressly,  that  the  Carolina  sort  was  from  Cyprus  and  Malta.  In  a pamph- 
let  entitled  “American  Husbandry,”  published  in  London,  in  1775,  the  wri* 
ter  remarks,  that  “the  cotton  cultivated  in  our  Colonies  is  of  the  Turkish 
kind.”  On  the  other  hand,  it  must  be  supposed,  from  the  language  of  their 
historian,  that  the  Cape  Fear  emigrants,  who  began  the  growing  of  the  gos- 
sypium  only  two  years  after  they  had  established  their  settlements,  were  pro- 
vided with  seed  from  Barbadoes.  The  vicinity  of  the  West  Indies  ; the 
profitableness  of  the  cotton  crop  ; and  the  varieties  of  the  plant,  which,  at 
an  early  period  were  cultivated  in  those  Islands— -all  render  it  nearly  certain, 
that  from  thence  was  drawn  a portion  of  the  supply  with  which  the  people 
were  from  time  to  time  provided. 

Between  1786  and  1795,  cotton  from  various  parts  of  the  world  was  in- 
troduced into  the  Southern  States  and  Louisiana.  A species  of  the  white 
Siam  was  for  some  time  the  subject  of  experiment  by  the  French  in  the 
latter  country.  The  Nankeen  came  from  Malta.  The  Bourbon  was  brought 
from  that  Island  to  Charleston,  through  the  instrumentality  of  James  Ham- 
ilton, who  was  a merchant,  and  part  owner  of  the  only  India  ship  at  that  time 
trading  beyond  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.  The  Purnambucco  or  kidney  cot- 
ton,  was  sent  from  the  Havanna  to  Mr.  Levettof  Georgia,  by  a Mr.  Welch,  a 
merchant  of  Philadelphia.  These,  and  many  other  sorts,  after  a fair  trial, 
were  abandoned,  for  the  reason  of  their  inferiority  to  the  kinds  then  profitably 
raised,  viz ;the  real  green  seed,  and  the  Sea  Island  cotton  ; the  latter  hav- 
ing superseded  the  plant  that  was  grown  at  the  period  of  the  Revolution, 
which  strongly  resembled  the  short  staple  in  growth  and  blossom,  except 
having  a dean  black  seed  with  fur  at  the  end.  The  Louisiana  cotton,  it  is 


126 


AGRICULTURAL 


thought,  was  derived  from  this  species,  but  degenerated  in  the  progress  of 
tillage  by  intermixture  with  other  kinds.  To  a cross  with  Sea  Island  cotton, 
large  quantities  of  which  were  shipped  to  Louisana  immediately  subsequent 
to  its  cession  to  the  United  States,  is  perhaps  in  part  to  be  attributed  the  de- 
cided  superiority  of  the  New  Orleans  cotton  wool  of  the  present  day  overall 
others  in  North  America  of  the  green  seed  description. 

From  this  brief  notice  of  the  quarters  whence  different  cottons  were  re- 
ceived in  this  country,  in  connection  with  the  progress  of  the  plant  from  be- 
yond the  Indus  to  the  Levant,  we  have  satisfactory  reasons  for  concluding, 
that  to  the  Mediterranean  and  Asia  Minor  we  are  mainly  indebted  for  the 
particular  species  of  the  gossypium  which  has  been  the  subject  of  investiga- 
tion.  Of  the  two  kinds  from  which  the  green  is  derived,  the  Herbaceum  is 
clearly  of  Eastern  origin,  and  the  Hirsutum  also  probably,  though  it  is  posi- 
tively asserted  to  be  a native  of  the  West  Indies. 

Notwithstanding  in  the  accounts  current,  published  in  the  “Carolina  Ga- 
zette” of  1792,  the  article  of  cotton  does  not  appear,  yet,  it  is  certain,  that 
even  at  a much  earlier  date,  it  was  vended  in  Charleston  in  small  parcels, 
varying  from  one  to  thirty  pounds.  In  1787,  it  was  brought  from  Orange- 
burg, Newberry,  and,  it  is  believed,  Union,  and  sold  in  the  seed  to  the  mer- 
chants, at  two  pence  per  pound,  who  resold  it  principally  to  the  ladies  to 
make  “ patch  work  bed  quilts.”  In  that  year,  or  the  following,  two  or  three 
bags,  about  100  lbs.  each,  of  seed  cotton,  were  packed  in  the  store  of  Wads- 
worth and  Turpin  by  Samuel  Maverick(l)  and  Jeffrey,  a half-blood  Indian. 
These  were  shipped  to  England  as  a sample  and  an  experiment.  The  an- 
swer of  the  consignees  was  discouraging.  It  is  not  worth  producing,  said 
they,  as  it  cannot  be  separated  from  the  seed.  In  1794,  Dr.  James  Otis 
Prentiss,  and  in  the  same  or  subsequent  year,  Col.  William  Thomson  of 
Revolutionary  memory,  each  planted  cotton  for  market ; the  former  in  Or- 
angeburg District,  within  a mile  of  the  village,  and  the  latter  at  Bell  ville,  in 
St.  Matthew’s  Parish.  In  1796,  cultivators  of  the  crop  appeared  in  several 
parts  of  the  State  ; among  them  were  Samuel  Felder  of  Orangeburg.  It 
was  first  grown  in  the  High  Hills  of  Santee  by  John  Mayrant  and  Asburry 
Sylvester  in  1793.  The  year  afterwards,  Gen.  Wade  Hampton  introduced 
the  plant  into  Richland  District.  With  the  energy  and  sagacity  that  distin- 
guished him,  he  began  his  operations  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  from  600 
acres  he  gathered  over  600  bags.  Although  not  the  first  person  who  employed 

1 Mr.  Maverick  states,  that  lie  was  the  first  person  who  made  sugar  in  South  Carolina. 
About  the  year  1800,  he  planted  some  ribbon  cane,  purchased  in  the  Havanna.  in  his  lot  to 
the  east  ofthe  Present  Orphan  House.  It  yielded  300  lbs.  The  cane  was  pounded  in  a 
mortar,  and  the  juice  boiled  in  iron  pots. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


127 


Whitney’s  cotton  gin(l)  in  South  Carolina,  (for,  in  1795,  one  was  erected  on 
Mill  Creek,  five  miles  below  fvlonticello,  Fairfield,  by  Capt.  James  Ivincaid, 
and,  three  years  afterwards,  by  several  other  planters,)  still  he  was  certain- 
ly  the  first  who  used  water  as  the  propelling  power.  His  gins  were  furnished 
by  an  ingenious  artist  of  Georgia,  assisted  by  William  Munson  of  Richland. 
Though  of  rough  construction,  they  served  as  models  for  others  made  in 
1801,  by  Wm.  Munson  and  James  Boatwright  of  Columbia.  These  were  the 
first  of  the  new  machines  of  home  manufacture.  It  does  not  appear  that 
cotton  was  raised  for  market  in  Edgefield,  and  the  more  northern  districts, 
until  1802,  until  which  time  tobacco  was  one  of  the  staple  commodities.  In 
that  year,  Col.  Z.  S.  Brooks  erected  a cotton-gin  on  the  north  or  Saluda  side 
of  the  district.  With  this  he  prepared  for  sale  the  crops  of  his  neighbors  for 
the  compass  around  him  of  ten  miles. 

Before  concluding  this  branch  of  our  inquiry,  it  becomes  necessary  to  re. 
move  a difficulty  that  seemingly  militates  against  what  has  been  advanced  in 
reference  to  the  exportation  of  cotton  from  South  Carolina.  On  the  highest 
authority,  it  has  been  already  stated  that,  from  1785  to  1790,  a period  of  six 
years,  there  were  shipped  from  Charleston  153  bags  of  cotton  ; yet,  from  the 
representations  just  made,  it  seems,  that  the  commodity  was  not  grown,  as  a 
crop,  in  this  State  until  1794.  The  solution  is  probably  this  : The  cotton  was 
either  prepared  by  hand-roller  gins,  which  were  undoubtedly  in  use  even  be- 
fore the  war,  and  sold  in  small  quantities  to  the  merchants,  who  packed  it 
for  exportation ; or  it  was  sent  in  the  seed  to  Philadelphia  and  New  Fork 
there  to  undergo  the  cleaning  process.  The  latter  supposition  is  based  on 
the  large  amount  f of  cotton  shipped  from  those  ports  in  the  years  alluded 
to,  and  the  fact,  as  will  bo  seen  hereafter,  that  machines  to  disconnect  the 
seed  from  the  wool  were  employed  in  Philadelphia,  in  1784.  Further,  the 
condemnation  of  the  bags  subsequently  exported  by  Wadsworth  and  Turpin, 
shows,  that  the  previous  consignments  must  have  been  of  clean  cotton,  and 
not  in  the  seed  as  might  be  conjectured. 

Sea-IslanJ,  or  black  seed  cotton,  began  to  be  raised  in  Georgia,  in  experi- 
mental quantities,  in  1786.  The  native  place  of  the  seed  is  believed  to  be 


1 “ When  Whitney’s  gin  was  exhibited  in  Georgia,  none  but  women  were  permitted  to 
enter  the  room.  An  ingenious  young  mechanic  at  length  introduced  himself  into  the 
apartment  in  women’s  apparel,  and,  by  a minute  examination  of  the  machine,  satisfied  him- 
self, that  he  could  notonly  imitate,  but  improve  on,  its  construction,  by  making  it  more  ef- 
ficient. This  discovery  was  communicated  to  my  father  by  Gen.  Gun,  who  spoke  so  con- 
fidently of  the  capacity  of  this  individual,  that  my  father  was  induced  to  visit  him  at  his 
residence  in  Georgia.  This  visit  resulted  in  a contract  for  three  gins,  applicable  to  a large 
scale  of  operations,  and  they  were  unquestionably  the  first  ever  driveu  by  waterpower.’ 
Extract  of  a letter  from  Col.  IVadc  Hampton  to  the  writer. 
tSee  note  B.  in  the  Appendix. 


128 


AGRICULTURAL 


Persia.  It  is  designated  the  Persian  cotton  by  Bryan  Edwards, (1)  and  is  so 
called  in  the  West  Indies  and  by  the  merchants  of  England.  The  seed 
grown  in  this  country  came  from  the  Bahama  Islands,  where  it  had  been  in- 
troduced by  the  board  of  Trade  from  Anguilla,  a small  Island  in  the  Car- 
ibbean Sea,  and  was  sent  by  Mr.  Tatnall,  then  Surveyor  General  of  the  Ba. 
hamas,  Col.  Kelsell,  and  others,  to  Governor  Tatnall,  James  Spalding,  Rich- 
ard  Leake,  and  Alexander  Bisset— all  of  Georgia.  Its  first  cultivators  in 
that  State  were  Josiah  Tatnall,  Nicholas  Turnbull,  James  Spalding  and 
Richard  Leake.  The  first  bag  exported  from  Georgia  was  by  Alexander 
Bisset  of  St.  Simon’s  Island,  in  the  year  1798,  or,  in  the  opinion  of  some,  by 
a Mr.  Miller,  who  for  that  reason  still  bears  the  name  of  “Cotton  Miller.’’ 
The  Bahama  seed  did  not  give  fruit  the  first  year,  but  from  the  mildness  of 
the  winter  of  1786,  seed  was  obtained  from  the  ratoon,  and  the  plant  became 
acclimatized.  (2) 

The  black  seed  cotton  region  of  this  State  is  bounded  on  the  north  and 
northwest  by  a line  about  20  miles  south  of  the  line  that  separates  Barnwell 
and  Orangeburg  from  the  neighboring  parishes;  on  the  north-east  and  east 
by  the  Santee  river;(3)  on  the  west  and  south-west  by  the  Savannah  riyer;  and 
on  the  south  and  south-east  by  ti  e ocean.  The Eutaw Springs,  in  St.  John’s, 
Berkley,  is  the  extreme  northern  point  to  which  it  extends.  Williamsburg 
was  for  many  years  embraced  in  its  limits,  but  that  district  no  longer  furnish, 
esa  supply  of  the  raw  material.  About  the  year  1812,  three  or  four  plant- 
ers, as  an  experiment,  introduced  its  culture  into  the  southern  part  of  Sum- 
ter  district.  The  quantity  and  quality  of  the  crops  were  sufficiently  en- 
couraging, but  as  the  preparation  of  the  Wool  was  objectionable,  the  growers 
abandoned  their  enterprize  for  the  reason  of  the  large  expenditure  of  la- 
bour and  time  that  it  required.  The  first  attempt  in  South  Carolina  to  raise 
a crop  of  long  cotton  was  made,  in  1788,  by  Mrs.  Kinsey  Burden,  of 
Burden’s  Island,  St.  Paul’s  Parish.  As  early  as  about  the  year  17“y,  this 

(1)  Edwards’  West  Indies,  Vol.  iv.  p.  363. 

2Thcse  interesting  facts,  except  what  is  said  of  Mr.  Miller,  rest  on  the  authority  of 
Thomas  Spalding  of  Sapelo  Island,  Georgia, 

“While  lately  at  Savannah,  Mr.  Scott  brought  to  see  me  a very  respectable  gentle- 
man from  the  Bahamas,  a merchant,  but  also  the  Speaker  of  their  Colonial  Assembly ; 
who  stated  he  had  been  applied  to  from  Louisiana  the  last  winter  to  procure  five  bushels  of 
cotton  seed,  and  strange,  what  had  been  England’s  best  cotton  colony  a few  years  back, 
did  not  afford  this  small  supply— the  gentleman  could  not  procure  a seed:  and  what  did 
the  negroes  live  upon,  I asked?  Upon  Sago,  made  from  the  Conti  plant,  which  was 
growing  in  the  woods,  and  which  they  had  been  taught  to  prepare  no  doubt  from  some  op 
the  Indian  negroes  from  Florida— many  of  whom  had  taken  shelter  in  the  Bahamas.  What 
a lesson  upon  English  legislation  for  her  Cofenies !”— Extract  of  a letter  from  Thomas 
Spalding  of  Georgia  to  the  writer. 

2 West  of  that  line  some  green  cotton  is  also  grown. 


PROCEEDINGS, 


129 


atri  the  short  staple  cottons  were  produced  by  her  husband,  whose  negroes 
were  then  clad  in  homespun  of  home  manufacture.  Although  Mr.  Burden's 
field,  the  larger  portion  of  which  wTas  in  corn,  was  manured  with  compost, 
the  plants  did  not  begin  to  bloom  until  September,  and  not  a pod  ripened. 
The  cause  of  failure  was  subsequently  traced  to  the  seed,  which  was  of  the 
Bourbon  kind.(l)  The  first  successful  crop  appears  to  have  been  grown  by 
William  Elliot,  deceased,  on  Hilton  Head,  near  Beaufort,  in  1790,  with  51- 
bushels  of  seed,  purchased  in  Charleston  at  the  rate  of  14s.  per  bushel. (2) 
The  cotton  brought  lOjd.  per  pound.  In  1791,  John  Screven  of  St.  Luke’s 
Parish,  planted  30  or  40  acres  at  his  Montpelier  plantation  on  May  river. 
The  product  was  packed  in  the  article  called  Hessians,  and  sold  in  Georgia 
to  Mr.  Troup,  Robert  Bolton,  and  Mr.  Miller  for  Is.  2d.  to  Is.  6d.  sterling 
per  pound.  In  1792,  John  £?ose  cultivated  a small  field  on  the  Gakatee 
creek,  from  which  he  gathered  600  lbs.;  which  commanded  in  the  Savannah 
market  2s.  a pound.  It  is  certain  that,  at  this  period,  many  planters  on  the 
Sea-Islands,  and  contiguous  main  land,  experimented  with  long  cotton,  and 
probably  it  was  produced  by  several  of  them  for  market.  The  season  of 
1793  found  cultivators  in  other  sections  of  the  State  engaged  in  the  good 
work — among  them  James  King  of  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  Col.  Edward  Barnwell, 
and  Capt.  John  Joyner  of  Port  Royal,  and  Gen.  Wm.  Moultrie  of  St.  Johns 
Berkley.  The  crop  of  Mr.  King  yielded  abundantly,  and  was  sold  by  Kinsey 
Burden,  now  of  St.  John’s  Colleton,  at  1 2d.  to  13d.  the  pound;  that  of  the 
latter,  at  his  Northampton  plantation,  coveifng  afield  of  150  acres,  was  a 
decided  failure— “the  result  of  an  unacquaintance  with  the  proper  mode  of 
management,  in  connexion,  probably,  with  an  unfavorable  season.  In  at- 
tempting  to  raise  so  new  a product  on  so  large  a scale,  and  thereby  en- 
countering  the  hazard  of  sacrificing  the  labour  of  a year,  Gem  Moultrie 
gave  a signal  proof  of  his  devotion  to  the  true  interests  of  South  Carolina, 
He  had  gallantly  defended  her  in  war ; in  peace  he  was  still  her  ardent 
friend,  dil igen'.ly  seeking  opportunities  to  nourish  and  sustain  her.  But  to 
return  from  this  digression.  The  cotten  culture  from  this  time  progressed 
rapidly.  In  all  the  Parishes  the  practical  friends  to  its  extension  greatly 
multiplied.  Against  each  other  this  plant  and  indigo  struggled  for  the  as- 
cendancy. In  1799,(3)  the  latter  had  very  generally  ceased  to  be  grown  for 
market. 

1 All  attempts  to  naturalize  the  Bourbon  cotton,  though  it  strongly  resembles  the  green 
seed  species,  has  failed. 

2 The  original  paper,  “an  account  Current  between  William  Elliot  and  Jacob  Deveaux,’ 
showing  the  purchase  of  the  seed  in  1789,  was  kindly  put  into  the  hands  ot4  the  writer  by 
William  Elliot,  Esq.,  of  Beaufort.  As  cotton  seed  was  for  sale  in  that  year,  other  planters, 
it  is  probable,  cultivated  it,  as  a crop  in  ’90,  but  their  names  are  unknown. 

■3  At  that  early  period,  the  opinion  prevailed  that  the  simply  of  cotton  would  soon  ex- 

9 


130 


AGRICULTURAL 


As  an  evidence  of  the  former  value  of  this  species  of  the  gossypium,  ar.d 
of  the  success  of  some  of  its  growers,  it  is  worthy  of  record,  that  Peter  Gai!- 
lard  of  St.John’s  Berkley,  in  1799,  averaged  78  pounds  sterling  to  the  hand. 
In  that  year,  James  Sinkler  of  the  same  Parish  from  a field  of  300  acres,  re- 
alized 216  lbs.  per  acre,  for  most  which  he  received  3s.  a pound.  William 
Brisbane,  deceased,  at  his  White  Point  plantation,  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  was  so 
successful  in  1796,  ’97,  and  ’98,  that  from  moderate  circumstances  lie  be- 
came, in  his  judgment,  so  independent,  as  no  longer  to  engage  in  the  toil- 
some task  of  cultivating  the  earth.  He  sold  his  landed  estate  to  William 
Seabrook  of  Edisto  Island,  at  a price  held  by  many  to  be  ruinous  to  the  lat- 
ter, (1)  and  passed  a few  years  in  travelling  in  our  Northern  States  and  in 
Europe. (2) 

While  the  larger  portion  of  the  seed  used  in  South  Carolina  was  either 
purchased  in  Charleston,  or  in  Georgia,  a considerable  quantity  was  ob- 
tained in  the  Bahamas,  through  the  active  exertions  of  friends  who  resided 
in  Providence. 

In  1780,  when  England  had  no  fine  manufactories,  the  best  cottons  brought 
to  her  market  were  from  the  Dutch  plantations  of  Berbice,  Demarara,  and 
Surinam.  These  then  commanded  respectively  2s.  Id.,  Is.  lid.,  to  2s.  Id. 
2s. (3)  In  1786,  Bourbon  cotton, (4)  remarkable  for  fineness,  but  deficient  in 
length,  was  worth  from  7s.  6d.  to  10s.  per  pound.  It  was  superseded  bv 
Sea  Islands,  which  in  ’99  sold  readily  in  Liverpool  at  5s.  to  5s.  3d. (5)  per 
pound.  Its  price  in  this  State,  in  the  infancy  of  its  production,  was  general- 
ly from  9d.to  Is.  It  soon  rose  to  Is.  4d.  and  Is.  6d. — then  to  2s.  and  up- 
wards,(6)  at  which  it  remained  until  1806,  when  the  planter  for  the  first  time 


ceed  the  demand.  A highly  respectable  planter  of  St.  John’s  Colleton,  deceased,  in  look- 
ing at  his  first  crop,  the  produce  of  a few  acres,  after  it  had  been  housed,  exclaimed. 
“ Well,  well,  I am  done  with  the  cultivation  of  cotton  ! Here  is  enough  to  make  stock- 
ings for  all  the  people  in  America.” 

1 Mr.  Seabrook,  with  the  proceeds  of  the  crops  of  the  plantation,  paid  the  purchase 
money  in  two  years. 

2 It  is  questionable,  whether  the  Sea-Island  planter  for  the  last  five  years  has  realized 
over  five  percent,  on  his  capital. 

3 Edward’s  West  Indies,  Vol.iii.  p.  92. 

4 Bourbon  cotton  was  first  imported  into  Manchester  in  1783. 

5 Smither’s  Liverpool,  p.  157. 

6 From  1798  to  1809,  both  inclusive,  a distinguished  planter  of  this  State  sold  his  cot- 


ton  in  Charleston  at  the  following  prices  : — 

s.  d. 

s.  d.  s.  d. 

s.  d. 

s.  d. 

s.  d. 

1798 

1 

1799 

1 4 

1800 

2 — 

2 1 

1801 

2 1 — 

2 —IS 

3802 

•2  3 — 

2 1 — 2 4 

— 2 7 — 

2 — 

1 84 

3803 

i ah  - 

19—  18 

— 1 7 — 

1 6 — 

2 6 

1804 

1 6 — 

2 6 

1805 

2 — 

1 —39 

- 1 64 

1806 

1 11  — 

1 9 — 17 

1807 

1 8 — 

1 7 — 1 

— 25c.  — 

18c.  — 

33c. 

1808 

30  cents  — 

25c.  - 23c. 

— 15c, 

1809 

26  cents. 

PROCEEDINGS. 


131 


experienced  the  baneful  effect  of  restrictions  on  commerce.  From  the  su- 
periority  of  this  cotton  to  that  raised  in  any  other  country,  even  from  the 
same  seed,  the  staple  at  first  was  objected  to,  as  too  long,  and  by  one  or  two 
English  Spinners,  it  is  said,  it  was  actually  cut  shorter.(l) 

On  its  introduction  into  Georgia,  the  cultivation  of  long  cotton  was  con- 
fined to  the  warm  high  lands  of  the  Sea-Islands  : these  portions  of  the  plan- 
tation are  still  everywhere  preferred,  and  almost  invariably  return  the  largest 
yield,  though  their  exhausted  condition  would  seem  to  invite  the  more  general 
tillage  of  the  lower  grounds.  A few  seed  were  either  deposited  in  small 
hills, (2)  about  five  feet  apart,  each  way,  or  in  holes  made  in  the  level  land, 
separated  at  that  distance.  The  spaces  between  the  hills  or  holes  were  kept 
clean  by  the  hand  or  hoe — the  plough  then  as  now  was  but  little  used.  From 
the  very  limited  number  of  plants  that  this  plan  insured,  it  is  manifest  that, 
in  despite  of  the  natural  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  harvest  must  have  been  mea- 
gre. Except  in  isolated  instances,  it  rarely  equalled  100  lbs.  to  the  acre, 
which,  at  4 acres  per  hand,  gave  but  four  hundred  pounds  to  the  hand.  In 
1794,  a Bahama  planter,  who  was  travelling  for  his  health,  arrived  in  Geor- 
gia  : he  advised  the  growers  to  sow  their  cotton  much  thicker.  This  advice 
was  unheeded  by  all,  except  Thomas  Spalding  of  Sapelo  Island,  then  a young 
man,  and  who  has  since  largely  contributed  by  precept  and  example  to  fur- 
ther the  agricultural  interests  of  his  native  State.  Fie  adopted  in  full  the 
West  India  mode  of  drilling  his  seed  along  the  ridge,  and,  by  leaving  the 
plants  about  six  inches  apart,  he  realized  from  a field  of  sixty  acres,  favored 
by  a propitious  season,  the  remarkable  product  of  340  lbs.  of  clean  white 
cotton  to  the  acre.  His  success,  with  the  previous  adoption  of  the  ridge- 
husbandry  of  Tull,  introduced  into  Georgia,  it  is  believed,  by  Hamilton  Cow- 
perand  James  Spalding  of  St.  Simon’s  Island,  annulled  the  doubts  of  the  wa- 
vering, and  soon  rapidiy  extended  the  culture  of  this  valuable  crop.  In  one 
year  the  revolution  was  accomplished,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  the 
distance  of  the  plants  asunder  is  regulated  by  the  natural  or  artificial  strength 
of  the  land-— varying  from  eight  to  twenty-four  inches,  while  the  ridges, 
though  separated  in  some  of  the  Parishes  four  feet,  and,  in  particular  loca- 
tions, six  feet,  are  in  general  five  feet  apart.  These,  unlike  the  old  usage, 
have  for  many  years  been  made  and  preserved  of  an  oval  form,  and  large 
and  high ; first,  the  more  effectually  to  subdue  the  grass,  and  to  retard  its 
early  germination  ; secondly,  to  prevent  the  exposure  of  the  lateral  roots  and 
fibres  during  the  washing  rains  of  summer  ; and  thirdly,  to  keep  the  field 
as  dry  as  possible  : no  plant  probably  requiring  less  moisture,  particularly  at 

1 Suiither’s  Liverpool,  p.  135. 

2 The  boles  made  in  the  ridges  to  receive  the  seed  are  still  strangely  called  “hills”  by 
almost  every  planter. 


182 


AGRICULTURAL 


the  fruit  bearing  season,  than  cotton.  Although  they  increase  the  friability 
of  the  soil,  which  is  a serious  objection  on  very  light  lands,  yet,  the  advan- 
tages just  enumerated,  the  recent  practice  of  levelling  the  ground,  and  the 
results  of  experiments  showing  the  decided  superiority  of  large  over  small 
ridges,  in  very  wet  or  dry  weather,  have  constituted  the  former  an  almost  uni- 
versal expedient,  at  least  in  the  lower  Parishes.  In  relation  to  the  early 
practice  of  depositing  in  the  holes  only  three  or  four  seeds,  a practice  com- 
mon  in  Spain  in  the  12th  century,  experience  has  shown  the  wisdom  of  using 
a much  larger  quantity.  Cotton  is  liable  to  so  many  casualties  when  young, 
particularly  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ocean,  where  the  annual  injury  from  winds 
is  greater  than  is  usually  apprehended,  that,  except  by  the  growers  of  the 
best  descriptions  of  that  article,  from  a half  bushel  to  a bushel  of  seed  to  the 
acre  is  commonly  sown.  The  excitement  concerning  superfine  cottons,  and 
the  ambition  of  the  planter  to  excel  his  neighbour  in  price,  induce  annual  se- 
lections to  be  made,  but  as  this  task  devolves  on  the  proprietor,  and  can  be 
done  only  in  a limited  way,  a parsimonious  use  of  the  seed  is  the  necessary 
result  : hence,  less  than  one  quart  to  the  acre  is  occasionally  put  into  the 
-ground. 

The  mode  .of  cultivation  was  very  various,  and  without  method,  until 
about  the  year  1802,  when  it  assumed  a regular  form  in  this  State  and  Geor- 
gia. Then  the  crop  was  worked  four  times — the  latest  hoeing  being  from 
the  middle  to  the  last  of  July.  The  hoeings  now  are  more  frequent,  from 
five  to  seven  being  usually  given,  and  are  begun  earlier  and  finished  sooner. 
The  point  appears  to  be  conceded  that,  when  the  plant  puts  out  fruit  freely, 
which  may  be  expected  early  in  July,  out-door  labour  should  cease,  especially 
■if  the  season  be  wet. 

It  has  been  already  remarked,  that  the  plough  was  practically  unknown 
to  the  first  growers  of  long-staple  cotton.  This  is  still  true,  although  a half 
century  has  elapsed.  The  ridge-system  : the  lcvelness  of  the  ground,  requir- 
ing therefore  numerous  drains ; the  small  quantity  of  land,  from  to  -1 
acres,  cultivated  to  the  hand,(l)  which,  from  its  lightness,  is  so  easily  and  so 
much  better  attended  with  the  hoe  ; and  the  impossibility  of  gathering  the 
cotton  as  rapidly  as  the  field  may  demand,  if,  with  ploughs,  the  tillage  em- 
braced a larger  number  of  acres — all  seem  to  render  the  aid  of  this  great  ag- 
ricultural implement  utterly  useless  in  the  culture  of  the  crop.  In  the  break- 
ing up  of  the  soil,  however,  and,  as  an  assistant,  in  forming  the  ridge,  the 
plough  is  universally  employed,  except  on  the  Sea  Islands,  where  only,  bv  a 
few  planters,  is  its  value,  in  the  latter  operation,  fully  acknowledged. 

The  task  in  listing  was  formerly  half  an  acre  ; in  ridging,  three-eighths  of 
an  acre,  and  in  hoeing  half  an  acre.  The  present  tasks  are  less,  except  in  hoe- 


1 A larger  quantit)’  per  hand  could  not  perhaps  be  manured. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


133 


ing  which  is  the  same.  The  beds  are  still  changed  as  often  as  the  same  field  is 
tilled.  In  Georgia  the  attempt  to  make  them  so  far  permanent  in  low' grounds 
as  to  continue  for  six  or  eight  years,  has  in  a few  instances  been  successfully 
tried. (1)  There  is  scarcely  a doubt,  from  their  depth  of  mould,  and  extreme 
richness  in  vegetable  ingredients,  that  the  experiment  would  succeed-  in  the 
marshe  lands  of  South  Carolina.  The  application  of  tins  plan  to  poor  soils  is 
for,  bidden  by  the  necessity  of  furnishing  them  annually  with  fertilizing  matter, 
which  should  be  thoroughly  incorporated  with  the  earth. 

Excou raged  by  the  anticipated  results  of  experience,  if  not  in  every'  in- 
stance by  the  actual  product  of  their  fields,  our  fathers  continued  to  cultivate 
the  grounds  which  their  sagacity  first  selected  for  the  new  crop.  After  sev- 
eral years  of  exhausting  tillage,  a radical  change  in  their  plan  of  operations, 
it  was  apparent,  must  soon  take  place.  Unaccustomed  to  imbibe  informa- 
tion from  books  concerning  their  vocation,  the  plain  alternative  of  resorting 
to  virgin  soils  was  adopted.  This,  with  regret  and  mortification  be  it  said, 
is  still  the  popular  expedient,  except  where  necessity,  that  kind  and  blessed 
encourager  of  the  arts,  forces  the  reluctant  to  another,  and,  as  experience 
testifies,  far  more  profitable  scheme.  The  land  which  could  be  the  most 
readily  prepared,  was  invariably  chosen — the  best,  requiring  a large  expen- 
diture of  labour,  neglected.  Only  recently  have  the  swamps  of  some  of  the 
Parishes,  and  the  immense  tracts  which  lie  along  the  line  where  the  salt  and 
fresh  waters  meet,  arrested  the  notice  of  the  cotton  grower.  These  alone 
are  capable  of  yielding  an  amount  of  cotton  wool  equal  to  the  yearly  exports 
of  the  State.  Whether  the  enterprize  of  the  agriculturists  is  adequate  to  the 
task  of  draining  and  embanking  them,  the  future  will  develope.  To  those 
who  have  been  engaged  in  this  patriotic  work,  the  encouragement  for  further 
trials,  on  a more  extended  scale,  is  great,  if  not  decisive. 

Notwithstanding  the  woods  everywhere,  and  the  marshes,  furnished  an 
abundant  store  of  suitable  aliment,  still,  in  his  early  efforts,  the  industry  of 
the  grower  did  not  extend  beyond  the  narrow  limits  of  manuring  his  root  po- 
tatoe  field,  comprehending  the  one-fourth  of  an  acre  to  each  labourer. 
There  were  no  instruments  to  mow  the  salt  grass,  rakes  for  collecting  leaves, 
nor  carts  espe  dally  designed  to  convey  the  vegetable  offal  to  the  cattle-pen. 
On  Edisto  Island,  where  the  system  of  tillage  is  admitted  to  be  good,  and 
where  probably  as  much  enriching  matter  is  distributed  over  the  land  as  in 
any  other  part  o(  the  United  States,  there  was,  in  1322,  not  one  plough  or- 

1 “ Twenty  years  ago,”  says  Mr.  Spalding,  in  a recent  letter  to  the  writer,  “ upon 
purchasing  some  river-land  opposite  to  Savannah,  I adopted  permanent  ridges,  planting  a 
row  of  corn  and  a row  of  cotton  alternately:  these  ridges  had  stood  nine  years,  when  my 
son  sold  the  plantation,  giving,  as  I think,  the  best  cotton  and  the  best  corn  crops  in 
Chatham  county.” 


134 


AGRICULTURAL 


scythe — the  largest  plantations  had  not  more  than  two  or  three  carts,  and 
the  utility  of  oxen,  in  practice,  was  absolutely  unknown.  Now,  a cart  and 
mule,  or  a yoke  of  oxen,  to  every  six  workers,  is  common;  labour-saving 
machines  abound  ; and  every  acre  of  cotton,  and  generally  of  provisions,  is 
provided  with,  what  at  least  is  supposed  to  be,  a proper  quantity  of  appropri- 
ate pabulum.  This  salutary  reformation  in  the  husbandry  of  this  small 
section  of  the  State,  was  effected  mainly  by  the  establishment  of  an  Agri- 
cultural Society  in  the  year  just  alluded  to.  All  that  has  been  said  in  refer- 
ence to  Edisto,  is  applicable  to  most  of  the  Sea-Islands,  and,  in  a more  lim- 
ited sense,  to  a majority  of  the  Parishes. 

The  first  person  in  South-Carolina  who  directed  the  planters’  attention  to 
the  subject  of  manures,  was  Col.  Thomas  Shubrick.  In  a series  of  essays, 
published  about  the  year  1800,  he  recommended  the  drifted  wreck  that  is 
thrown  up  by  the  tides.  From  its  use,  perhaps  improperly  employed,  no 
essential  benefit  was  derived,  but  it  accomplished  the  object  of  creating  re- 
flection  and  a free  interchange  of  views  among  those,  who  were  most  likely 
to  lend  their  aid  in  furthering  the  design  of  this  patriotic  citizen.  From  that 
time,  ephemeral  communications  on  the  proper  food  of  plants,  and  its  kindred 
questions,  occasionally  met  the  public  eye.  However  liberal  were  the  con- 
tributions of  the  Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina  to  this  branch  of  ag- 
ricultural improvement,  it  is  certain,  that  the  almost  simultaneous  movement 
made  by  a large  portion  of  our  planting  interest  concerning  the  renovation 
of  land  by  animal  and  vegetable  matter,  is  unquestionably  to  be  ascribed  to 
the  writings  of“Arator”by  John  Taylor  of  Virginia.  The  letters  over 
that  signature  originally  appeared  in  a newspaper.  In  pamphlet  form  they 
were  circulated  in  this  State  in  1803.  The  number  of  subjects  discussed  ; 
the  important  facts  developed;  the  well-digested  reasoning  in  support  of  the 
practices  recommended  for  adoption  ; added  to  the  high  and  intelligent  source 
whence  the  essays  originated — all  concurred  to  render  “ Arator”  an  in- 
structive and  popular  treatise.  The  advice  of  the  writer  on  several  points 
was  not  only  promptly  followed,  but  to  this  day  many  of  his  propositions  are 
considered  agricultural  axioms.  In  relation  to  this  State,  it  was  not  until 
about  1825,  that  manuring  may  be  said  to  have  been  systematized.  By  the 
force  of  circumstances,  the  sea-board  set  the  example, (1)  which  though 
strongly  urged  by  the  slender  returns  of  their  fields,  is  still  apparently'  un- 
heeded by  many  of  the  Parishes  and  districts. 

Of  all  the  fertilizing  materials  for  the  black  seed  cotton,  marsh  mud  is 
held  in  the  highest  estimation  ; not  for  the  reason  of  its  abundance  and  con- 


1 In  JS05,  nearly  all  the  materials  now  used  as  manure,  were  then  employed  on  the 
Sea-Islands,  though  in  a very  limited  way. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


135 


tiguity  to  plantations,  but  because,  if  the  proper  kinds[l]  be  judiciously  used, 
it  is  the  most  profitable,  and  certain  in  its  results.  It  contains  more  nutri- 
tive and  other  valuable  properties  than  any  other  natura)[2]  compound,  and 
is  specially  adapted  to  light  sandy  soils. 

Salt  mud,  as  a garden  manure,  was  employed  in  South  Carolina  in  1801. 
Judge  William  Johnson  states  that,  in  that  year,  he  commenced  his  experi- 
ments with  it,  and,  after  repeated  trials,  arrived  at  the  conclusion,  that  it 
was  a great  meliorating  agent.[3]  It  is  said  that,  as  far  back  as  1797,  the 
late  Gen.  Vanderhorst  was  practically  acquainted  with  its  value. [4]  The  merit 
of  its  discovery,  however,  as  a fertilizer  for  cotton  lands,  seems  to  be  due  to 
the  late  James  King  of  St.  Paul’s  Parish.  By  him  it  was  freely  used  before 
the  last  war  with  Great  Britain. [5] 

Until  within  a few  months,  the  agriculturist  of  South  Carolina  was  ignor- 
ant practically,  and  it  might  be  added  theoretically,  of  the  efficacy  of  calca- 
2'eous  manuies.  It  is  true  that  lime  as  an  improver  of  the  soil  has  been 
long  known  to  a few  of  our  cotton  planters.  In  1800,  and  again  in  1803,  it 
was  used  by  Kinsey  Burden,  then  of  St.  Paul’s  Parish.  Though  his  efforts 
with  a new  enriching  ingredient  were  attended  with  the  most  signal  success, 
it  does  not  appear  that  the  same  gentleman  ever  afterwards  resorted  to  it. 
A new  era  fortunately  has  commenced,  and  before  another  year  have  passed, 
lime  and  marl(6)  will  be  the  most  common,  and  the  most  extensively  em- 
ployed, of  all  the  natural  means  for  resuscitating  exhausted  lands.  To  Ed- 
round  Ruffin  of  Virginia,  late  editor  of  the  Farmer’s  Register,  and  now  by  the 
authority  of  the  Legislature,  Agricultural  Surveyor  of  South  Carolina, [7]  all 

1 That  on  which  the  tall  marsh  grows  is  greatly  to  be  preferred  to  all  other  kinds. 

2 See  note  C.ia  the  Appendix  forthe  analysis  of  K. 

3 Southern  Agriculturist,  vol.  ii.  p.  483.  4 Ibid.  p.  547. 

5 Ibid.  p.  399. 

6 The  antiquity  and  advantages  of  marling  may  be  gathered  from  the  following  passage, 
which  occurs  in  Fitzherbert’s  treatise  entitled  Surveying,  first  printed  in  1539.  Speaking 
of  the  improvement  of  bushy  and  mossy  ground,  he  says,  “And  if  there  be  any  marie 
pyttes  that  have  been  made  of  old  time  within  the  said  close,  than  whan  the  landes  be- 
gyn  to  weare,  if  he  have  not  sufficient  of  such  bushy  and  mossy  grounde  to  breake  up 
and  sowe,  than  there  woulde  be  newe  marie  pyttes  made,  and  the  landes  new  marled,  the 
which  is  moche  better  than  outher  donge,  mock  or  lyme,  for  it  will  last  twenty  years  to- 
gether, it  it  be  welle  done,  and  shall  be  the  better  while  it  is  land.  And  I marvayle  great- 
ly, that  in  the  common  felde,  where  of  old  tyme  hath  been  made  many  great  marie  pyttes, 
the  which  hath  done  moche  good  to  the  landes,  that  nowe  a dayes  no  man  doth  occupye 
them  ne  make  none  other,  and  they  nede  not  to  doute,  but  there  is  marie  now  as  well  as 
was  then. 

7 Mr.  Ruffin  was  appointed  Agricultural  Surveyor  with  a salary  of  $2,000,  at  the  Decem- 
ber Session,  1842.  To  R.  W.  Roper  of  Charleston,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  to  whom 
the  question  of  an  agricultural  survey  of  the  State  was  referred,  the  success  of  the  measure 
is  mainly  to  be  ascribed. 


136 


AGRICULTURAL 


the  benefit  which  shall  accrue  to  individuals  and  the  community  by  their  ap- 
plication will  have  to  be  ascribed.  His  discoveries  show,  that  marl  exists  in 
inexhaustible  quantities  throughout  the  lower  country,  and  that  calcareous 
matter  in  some  form  is  widely  distributed  over  the  State. 

Without  an  acquaintance  with  the  component  parts  of  soils,  and  our  great 
staple  crop,  the  appropriate  pabulum  to' the  one  for  the  support  of  the  other,  it 
is  manifest,  cannot  understanding!}'  be  .applied.  The  first  effort  in  this  State, 
emanating  from  a public  body,  to  obtain  light  on  one  of  these  interesting  to- 
pics, was  made  by  the  Agricultural  Society  of  St.  John’s  Colleton.  In  1840, 
at  their  instance,  eight  specimens  of  the  soils  of  Edisto-Islana  were  analyzed 
’ by  Professor  Shepard. [1]  The  report  of  the  Committee  ’to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  valuable  communication  of  that  skilful  chemist,  is  replete  with 
highly  useful  matter,  especially  in  relation  to  manures. [2]  Full  information 
on  the  other  subject,  may  shortly  be  expected  from  a very  intelligent  quarter. 
At  the  Agricultural  Convention,  held  at  Monticello,  Fairfield,  on  the  5th  of 
July  last,  it  was  resolved,  “ to  request  the  Agricultural  Societies  of  the  State 
to  unite  in  a contribution  to  procure  a perfect  analysis  of  the  long  and  short 
staple  cotton  stalk,  seed  and  lint,  in  the  perfect  state,  and  also  when  affected 
by  disease.”  When  this  is  done,  a great  object  will  have  been  attained.  The 
planter,  aided  by  the  knowledge  on  other  points  equally  important  to  be  ac- 
quired, will  no  longer  tread  the  path  of  doubt  and  uncertainty.  The  ma- 
terials for  restoring  the  constitution  of  the  soil,  and  impairing  health  and 
vigor  to  the  cotton  plant,  have  long  been  iu  his  possession,  but  for  the  first 
time  he  will  then  know  how  to  use  them,  and  where  necessary,  how,  and 
in  what  proportions,  to  unite  them. 

The  Sea-Island  cotton  fibre  was  analyzed  in  England,  in  1S25,  by  one 
well  qualified  for  the  task.  100  parts  of  the  ashes,  says  Dr.  Ure,  yielded  as 
follows  : — 

1.  Matter  soluble  in  water,  sixty-four  parts,  consisting  of 


Carbonate  of  potash  • 44.8 

Muriate  of  potash  9.9 

Sulphate  of  potash  9.3 

2.  Matter  insoluble  in  water, 

Phosphate  of  lime,  9-0 

Carbonate  of  lime, 10.6 

Phosphate  of  magnesia,  - 8.4 

Peroxide  of  iron,  3.0 

Alumina  a trace,  and  lass,  5.0 


100,0 


1 See  note  C.  in  the  Appendix. — Southern  Cabinet,  vol.  i.  p.  405. 

2 Southern  Cabinet,  vol.  i.  p.  449- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


187 


i:  These  results,”  remarks  the  analyzer,  “ seem  to  throw  considerable 
light  on  the  predilection  of  the  cotton  plant  for  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea, 
which  supplies  plentifully  the  saline  substances  requisite  to  the  perfect  de- 
velopement  and  constitution  of  its  woolly  fruit.  It  may  hence  be  inferred, 
that  the  compost  or  manure  best  fitted  for  cotton  plantations  shouldcontain 
neutro-saline  matter  with  alkaline,  calcareous,  and  magnesian  bases.  The 
presence  of  magnesia  deserves  notice,  as  it  indicates  marine  food.” 

The  subject  of  a rotation  of  crops  is  of  recent  interest.  It  was  of  course 
unmooted  by  the  first  cultivators  of  our  great  staple.  In  Georgia,  a few 
planters  have  of  late  grown  cotton  on  every  alternate  ridge  with  corn  occu- 
pying the  intermediate  ones.  When  the  field  is  again  planted,  the  cotton 
rows  are  substituted  for  the  corn  rows,  and  those  of  the  latter  for  the  former. 
This  plan  might  be  pursued  with  benefit,  except  on  the  sea-board,  where  the 
high  light  lands,  which  are  limited  in  quantity,  and  unfit  for  corn,  are  alone 
considered  safe  for  cotton.  In  a small  way,  potatoes,(I)  rest, (2)  and  cotton, 
or  spring  peas,[3]as  a crop  in  lieu  of  potatoes,  designedly  cultivated  for  the 
offal,  rather  than  the  product,  is  a good  rotation.  On  this  subject  there  are 
two  theories  : — 1st.  That  while  the  continuous  cultivation  of  any  one  crop 
deprives  the  soil  of  tin;  specific  aliment  essential  to  its  frutification,  another 
plant,  requiring  some  other  food,  may  be  advantageously  substituted.  2. 
The  celebrated  chemist,  De  Candolle,  says,  “ Of  the  nutriment  which  vege- 
tables receive  and  digest,  they  exude  an  inconsumable  or  innutritive  portion 
by  their  roots.  This  excrementitious  matter  is  supposed  to  unfit  or  poison 
the  soil  for  a second  crop  of  the  same  kind,  until  it  is  either  consumed  or 
neutralized  by  cultivation.”  May  not  this  be  the  true  reason  why  it  is  so 
difficult  to  get  a good  stand  on  land  planted  Or  three  or  more  consecutive 
years.  As  soon  as  the  plants  recover  from  their  sickly  state,  and  this  takes 
place  when  the  poisonous  substance  discharged  from  their  roots  is  destroyed 
by  tillage,  the  crop  grows  as  vigorously,  and  the  product  is  usually  as  good 
as  rested  grounds,  where  the  same  amount  and  kind  of  artificial  nourishment 
have  been  applied.  M.  Olivier,  member  of  the  Institute  of  France,  in  de. 
scribing  the  insects  which  devour  the  upper  part  of  the  roots  of  farinaceous 
plants,  and  which  multiply  to  infinity,  where  the  same  soil  presents  to  them 
for  years  in  succession,  plants  of  the  same  or  of  similar  kinds,  says,  “ these 
insects  perish  as  often  as  vegetables  are  cultivated,  which  cannot  serve  for 
food  for  their  larvae.”  Edmund  Ruffin,  in  the  Farmer’s  Register,  advances 

1 Allowing  one  year  to  intervene,  cotton  is  always  advantageously  grown  on  potato 
land,  which,  if  assisted  by  salt  mud,  the  benefit  to  the  crop  will  be  still  more  of  a decided 
character. 

2 Ungrazed. 

3 The  summer  crop  keeps  the  ground  bare  ol  vegetable  matter.  The  othet  is  succeed- 
ed by  a heavy  yield  of  crop  grass. 


138 


AGRICULTURAL 


a similar  postulate, — “ Every  plant,’’  he  remarks,  “ is  subject  to  be  preyed 
on  by  its  own  peculiar  tribes  of  insects,  which  are  continued  to  be  supplied 
by  their  proper  food,  and  favored  by  the  still  continuing  circumstances  of  the 
field,  and  therefore  are  increased  continually  in  numbers,  and  in  their  de- 
structive ravages,  as  long  as  the  crop  which  fed  them,  and  the  circumstances 
which  favored  them,  remain  unchanged;  and  that  these  insects  must  be  de- 
stroyed or  greatly  reduced  in  their  numbers  and  power  of  mischief,  by  a to- 
tal change  of  the  growth,  and  of  the  t;batment  and  condition  of  the  field. (1) 
These  opinions,  from  high  authorities,  are  well  entitled  to  the  attentive  con- 
sideration ofour  planters.  As  tne  alternating  system  in  relation  to  the  suc- 
cessful culture  of  other  crops  is  admitted  to  be  necessary,  its  applicability  to 
the  cotton  husbandry  cannot  reasonably  be  doubted. 

As  slovenly  as  was  Originally  the  tillage  of  the  cotton  plant,  the  prepara- 
tion of  its  produce  for  market  was  much  more  so.  It  was  indeed  so  badly 
cleaned,  as  to  be  deemed  suitable  only  to  the  coarser  fabrics.[2]  Up  to  about 
the  year  1820,  the  gatherers  took  no  especial  pains  to  abstract  the  decayed 
leaves.  The  wool  was  sunned  all  day,  and  ginned  frequently  with  the 
stained  particles  incorporated  with  it.  These  were  removed  in  the  process  of 
moting,  which  was  effected  by  women  sitting  on  the  floor  where  it  was 
beaten  with  twigs.  During  the  operation  of  ginning,  no  bags  or  boxes  re- 
ceived the  cotton,  and  oftentimes  large  quantities  were  thrown  together  un- 
til the  meters  were  prepared  to  examine  them.  In  packing,  an  old  iron 
axle-tree,  or  wooden  pestle,  the  present  instrument  was  used.  There  were 
no  re-inspectors  of  the  cotton  before  it  was  deposited  in  the  bag,  in  which  the 
spinner  would  frequently  find,  in  addition  to  a large  supply  of  leaves  and 
crushed  seeds,  potato  skins,  parts  of  old  garments,  and  occasionally  a jack- 
knife. With  many,  the  cotton  was  ginned,  moted,  and  packed  in  the  same 
room.  Very  different  indeed  are  the  present  processes,  or  rather  the  modes 
in  which  they  are  severally  performed.  Separate  rooms  for  the  seed  and 
ginned  cottons,  as  well  as  for  the  wool,  which,  after  it  is  gathered,  is  never 
exposed  to  the  sun,  have  long  been  considered  necessary  in  the  sea-board 
parishes  to  insure  the  proper  after-handling  of  the  crop.  There  are  re- 
quired a room  for  the  whipper,  if  one  be  employed,  which  extracts  the  dirt 
and  imperfect  filaments  ; another  for  the  assorters,  who,  provided  with  boxes 
for  their  clean  cotton,  perform  their  work  before  a long  table,  covered  with 
wire,  or  wooden  slats,  the  1-8  of  an  inch  apart ; a third  for  the  moters,  who 
also  stand  before  a latticed  table,  and  as  often  as  a handful  of  cotton  is  pre- 
pared it  is  thrown  into  a wooden  box,  about  three  feet  from  the  floor,  and  se- 
cured to  the  sides  of  the  building  immediately  behind  the  moters  respective- 
ly ; a small  room  for  the  moted  cotton,  and  one  for  the  packer,  usually  ad- 


1 Farmer’s  Register,  vol.  vii,  p.  609. 

2 Ure,  p.  145. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


139 


joining  it ; and  a house  or  room,  proportioned  to  the  force  employed,  for  the 
ginners,  in  which  are  boxes  for  the  seed  cotton  in  the  rear  of  the  operators, 
and  boxes  under  the  machines  for  the  ginned  cotton.  The  houses  are  lined 
on  the  inside  with  planed  boards,  and  the  windows  of  the  assorting  and  mot- 
ing  rooms,  and  the  gin-house  are  glazed.  All  these  accommodations  are 
now  to  be  found  on  nearly  every  plantation  on  the  Sea-Islands  and  the  ad- 
jacent country,  and,  it  is  said,  in  many  of  the  upper  Parishes. 

The  amount  of  labour  expended  in  a day  in  preparing  one  bag  of  superfine 
cotton  of  300  lbs.  weight,  the  produce  of  1,500  lbs.  in  the  seed,  is  as  fol- 


lows, viz : — 

Dryer,  ......  1 

Turner  and  feeder  of  the  whipper,  ■ 2 

Assorters,  50  lbs.  each,  ...  30 

Ginners,  25  lbs.  ” - 12 

Moters,  43  lbs.  ” ...  6 

Packer  and  re-inspector,  ...  2 


54 

It  will  thus  appear  that,  if  the  foot-gin  be  used  in  the  ordinary  way,  which, 
with  a few  exceptions,  is  the  invariable  practice,  54  labourers,  at  an  expense 
to  the  owner  of  $27,  estimating  their  services  at  50  cents  per  day  respeci 
tively,  are  necessary  to  the  getting  of  one  bag  of  cotton  properly  cleaned. 
When  the  gins  are  propelled  by  steam,  six  persons  oniy,  male  or  female,  to 
feed  them,  are  required.  If  the  wool  be  separated  from  the  seed  by  Eave’s 
improved  gin,  to  which  steam  power  is  applied,  the  aid  of  three  men  will  be 
needed.  In  all  other  respects  the  labour  is  the  same. 

The  cultivation  and  preparation  of  cotton,  as  described  in  these  pages,  is 
peculiarly  applicable  to  the  southern  halt  only  of  the  long  staple  region.  In 
the  northern  portion,  but  especially  in  the  Santee  country,  there  are  differ- 
ences in  each,  which  it  is  important  should  be  briefly  noticed.  Five'acres  to 
the  band,  of  which  generally  only  one-third  is  manured,  are  planted.  The 
ridges  are  four  feet  from  each  other,  and  the  plants  stand  from  15  to  20  inches 
apart.  In  the  culture  ot  the  crop,  a machine  of  a triangular  shape,  called 
“ the  sweep,”  is  used  by  a few  as  an  assistant  to  the  hoe.  The  morning  after 
the  cotton  is  gathered,  according  to  the  wonted  usage,  it  is  assorted  by  the 
pickers;  but,  contrary  to  the  plan  of  the  sea-board,  not  afterwards ; unless 
one  or  two  hands,  who  attend  to  the  scaffold,  may  be  said  to  perform  that  ser- 
vice. The  task  in  moting  is  from  20  to  25  pounds.  The  material  points  of 
difference,  then,  in  the  handling  of  the  crop,  between  the  lower  and  upper 
Parishes,  or  the  former  and  Santee  growers,  consist  in  the  processes  of  assort- 
ing and  moting.  The  labour  of  the  first  is  chiefly  expended  in  cleaning  the 
cotton  in  the  seed  ; that  of  the  other,  after  it  is  ginned.  This  probably  arises 


140 


AGRICULTURAL 


from  the  characteristic  features  of  the  two  staples.  Unless-great  caution  be 
exercised  in  the  moting  of  the  fine  cottons,  the  fibres  will  entangle,  and  the 
wool  beco  ne  lumpy  and  stringy.  These  results  do  not  take  place  when  the 
coarser  qualities  are  cleaned  in  the  ginned  state. 

Cotton  in  primeval  times  was  disengaged  from  the  seed  with  the  fingers. 
Another  mode  of  affecting  that  object,  still  common  in  certain  parts  of  India* 
is,  however,  mentioned  by  Dr.  F.  Buchanan  in  his  account  of  Bahar  and 
Patna.  “ A great  deal  of  the  cotton,”  says  he,  “ is  freed  from  the  seed  by 
the  process  of  beating.  At  Arwal,  the  Dhunizas,  who  make  a profession  of 
beating  cotton,  are  allowed  sers  of  grain  for  beating  one  ser  of  cotton; 
and  in  one  day  a man  beats  four  sers,  equal  to  4J  lbs.,  and  of  course  receives 
64  lbs  of  grtin.”  To  the  human  hand  the  agency  of  the  roller  succeeded. 
The  use  of  rollers,  at  first  roughly  constructed,  is  of  very  ancient  date. 
Nearchus  speaks  of  them  as  employed  by  the  Hindoos  for  the  purpose  to 
which  they  are  now  particularly  devoted.  While  a rude  hand-mill  was 
employed  in  the  Plantation  States,  the  treadle-gin,  or  some  equally  affective 
machine,  was  certainly  in  operation  at  the  North.  This  appears  from  the 
declaration  of  Richard  Leake  of  Georgia,  who,  in  his  letter  to  Thomas  Proc- 
tor of  Philadelphia,  on  the  subject  of  Sea-Island  cotton,  remarks,  “ The  prin- 
cipal difficulty  that  arises  to  us  is  the  cleaning  of  the  seed,  which  I am  told 
they  do  with  great  dexterity  in  your  city  with  gins  or  machines  made  for  the 
purpose.”* 

Soon  after  the  commencement  of  our  revolutionary  struggle,  Kinsey  Bur- 
den, deceased,  late  of  St.  Paul’s  Parish,  constructed  a roller-gin,  believed  to 
have  been  among  the  first  ever  made  or  used  in  South-Carolina,  which  enabled 
him  to  clothe  his  negroes  in  garments  fabricated  at  home.  It  was  composed 
of  “ pieces  of  iron  gun-barrels  burnished  and  fixed  on  wooden  rollers,  with 
wooden  screws  to  secure  them,  and  wooden  cranks  to  turn  in  the  manner  of 
the  steel  corn-mill.  It  was  turned  by  one  person  and  fed  by  another.  Mr. 
Bisset  of  Georgia,  in  1788,  resorted  to  the  “ simple  plan  of  a bench  upon 
which  rose  a frame  supporting  two  short  rollers,  revolving  in  opposite  direc- 
tions, and  each  turned  by  ahoy  or  girl,  and  giving  as  the  result  of  the  day’s 
work,  five  pounds  of  clean  cotton.”  These,  and  many  others  like  them  used 
subsequently  in  several  parts  of  this  State,  were  in  part  of  the  fashion  of  the 
cotton  hand-mill  of  India,  which  consists  of  two  rollers  of  teak  wood,  fluted 
longitudinally  with  five  or  six  grooves,  and  revolving  nearly  in  contact.  The 
upper  roller  is  turned  by  a handle,  and  the  lower  is  carried  along  with  it  by  a 
perpetual  screw  at  the  axis.  The  present  foot  or  treadle-gin, first  used  in 

* Niles’  Register,  vol.  vi.  p.  334. 

t In  1796,  William  Brisbane ,*  received  several  foot  gins  from  his  father  in-law  in  the 
*The  gentleman  named  in  page  20. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


141 


Georgia,  was  imported  from  the  West  Indies,  and  is  probably  unsusceptible 
of  any  advantageous  alteration.  To  prevent  the  cotton  from  being  carried 
round  about  with  the  rollers,  Mr.  Harvie  of  Berbice,  in  1S20,  obtained  a 
patent  for  an  improvement,  which  consisted  in  the  application  of  a thin  long 
brush  to  the  posterior  surface  of  the  rollers.  From  the  liability  of  these  to 
get  hot  in  their  rotation,  a patent  in  the  United  States  was  secured  by  another 
person,  for  making  them  hollow  for  the  free  passage  of  cool  air,  or  even 
water. 

A very  decided  improvement  on  the  treadle-gin,  at  least  for  many  years  it 
was  so  considered,  especially  in  Georgia,  was  made  about  the  year  1790,  by 
Joseph  Eaves,  a native  of  Providence,  Rhode-Island,  but  who  then  resided  in 
the  Bahamas.  As  originally  constructed,  Eaves’s  machine  was  a double  gin , 
and  had  two  pair  of  rollers  placed  obliquely  one  above  the  other.  By  addi» 
tional  mechanism,  consisting  of  iron  teeth  and  pullies,  and  by  a little  assist- 
ance, it  was  made  to  feed  itself.  The  mill  was  worked  by  horses  and  oxen, 
or  by  water.  To  this  succected  the  gin  of  Mr.  Pottle  of  St.  Mary’s,  Georgia. 
He  substituted  two  single  rollers  for  the  double  ones,  and  placed  them  back  to 
back,  forming  an  a-  gle  with  each  other ; both  were  driven  with  the  same 
band-wheels,  which  were  placed  above  and  between  them.  Pottle’s  gins 
continued  long  in  high  repute  in  Georgia,  but  were  used  only  by  few  planters 
in  this  State.  Birnie’s,  Simpson’s,  and  Nicholson’s  gins,  and  many  others, 
bearing  the  cognomens  of  their  inventors,  followed  in  quick  succession.  In 
Whitemorc’s  machine,  it  was  thought,  that  all  the  objections  to  the  previous 
ones  had  been  effectually  removed.  To  run  in  the  easiest  possible  manner, 
and  to  preserve  the  rollers  from  being  heated,  it  was  provided  with  friction 
wheels  and  friction-rollers.  Although,  therefore,  from  these  causes  the  cotton 
received  no  damage,  yet,  it  was  soon  discovered,  that  it  cut  the  staple,  and 
that  this  irremediable  defect  was  in  proportion  to  the  velocity  of  the  gin.  It 
was  consequently  abandoned.  Farris’s  and  Logan’s  machines,  which  are 
slight  modifications  in  the  mechanism  of  Eaves’s  invention,  were  by  many 

Bahamas,  which  were  erected  under  the  direction  of,  and  actually  put  in  operation  by  his 
wile.  She  had  temporarily  resided  in  Providence,  and  being  of  an  active  and  inquisitive 
mind,  watched  with  interest  the  different  processes  of  preparing  cotton  for  market.  By 
this  means,  she  was  enabled  to  do  what  no  gentleman,  certainly  in  that  section  of  the  State, 
could  accomplish.  What  disposition  it  was  proper  to  make  of  the  seed  of  the  cotton, 
which  the  gins  very  soon  so  freely  furnished,  was  rather  a perplexing  question.  Held  to 
be  of  no  value,  it  was  first  carelessly  thrown  on  the  giound  ; the  hogs  ate  of  it,  however, 
and  they  died.  It  was  then  put  into  pens,  but  the  pigs  found  their  way  between  the  inter- 
stices of  the  rails,  and  quickly  shared  the  fate  of  their  elders.  As  a dernier  resort,  and 
with  a view  permanently  to  be  rid  of  the  “nuisance,”  it  was  deposited  in  a small  creek 
contiguous  to  the  mansion  house.  There  at  low  water  it  soon  generated  a miasmatic  odour 
which,  when  the  wind  was  favourable,  was  so  offensive,  as  to  create  a strong  feeling  of 
prejudice  against  the  farther  culture  of  the  crop.  , 


142 


AGRICULTURAL 


successfully  employed  ior  years,  and  they  are  still  partially  u cd  with  steam 
as  the  propelling  power.  Where  this  wonderful  agent  is  at  command,  the 
common  barrel-gm,  originally  worked  by  horses  or  oxen,  is  probably  the 
mast  unexceptionable.  “ It  is  indeed  nothing  more  than  the  foot-gin,  to  which 
greater  power  is  applied  by  complicated  mechanism.  This  consists  of  a 
large  driving  cog-wheel,  working  a small  trundle  wheel.  This  smaller  wheel 
gives  motion  to  a large  cylinder,  or  barrel,  round  which  from  S to  24  sets  of 
bands  are  passed,  communicating  with  the  pu  1 lies  of  as  many  cotton-gins, 
which  are  fixed  in  rows  on  each  side  of  it.”  As  the  young,  the  old  and 
infirm,  male  or  female,  can  engage  at  work  as  feeders,  a very  material  acfvan- 
tage  in  favor  of  this  gin,  is  seeured.  To  each  labourer  the  daily  average  is 
about  fifty  pounds  of  clean  cotton. 

All  ol  the  gins  subjected  to  examination  and  trial  in  this  State,  except  the 
first  of  Eaves’s  manufacture,  are  supplied  only  with  two  rollers,  both  of 
wood  ; or  one  of  cast-steel  and  the  other  of  wood  ; or  both  cast-steel,  one 
covered  with  leather ; or  both  of  wood,  one  also  with  a leather  covering. 
Cork  rollers  have  also  been  tried.  The  desideratum  is  to  prevent  injury  to 
the  staple,  either  by  cutting  or  beating  it.  To  accomplish  these  great  ends, 
at  least  a half  million  of  dollars  has  been  fruitless1)’  expended  by  artists, 
incited  by  the  expectation  of  the  highest  reward,  and  distinguished  for  skiil 
and  perseverance  in  their  profession.  The  notice  of  a new  and  improved 
gin*  for  both  green-seed  and  black-seed  cottons,  recently  constructed  by  F. 
M’Carthy  of  Alabama,  has  been  favorably  received  by  the  public.  That  it  is 
destined  to  supplant  Whitney’s  invention  is  probable  from  the  fact,  that  the 
cotton  prepared  b)  it  commanded,  at  one  time  last  winter,  three  cents  more 
per  pound  in  the  Mobile  market,  than  that  cleaned  by  the  latter.  That  it  may 
subserve  the  purpose  of  the  grower  of  long-cotton,  is  inferred  from  the  decla- 
ration  of  an  acknowledged  competent  witness.  A few  pounds  of  the  finest 
description  of  that  staple  ginned  by  this  machine,  and  unmoted  afterwards, 

the  property  of  — , was  sent  by  him  in  December,  1842,  to  Mr.  Houlds- 

worth,  the  eminent  spinner  of  Manchester,  who  returned  an  answer,  of  which 
the  following  is  an  extract  : — “We  have  carefully  examined  the  sample  of 

Mr.  ’s  cotton  cleaned  on  a new  ginning  machine.  It  is  remarkably 

clean,  and  in  an  excellent  state  for  our  purpose  as  respects  openness.”  The 
gin,  however,  may  be  very  liable  to  get  out  of  order  ; may  continue  only  for 
a short  time  to  effect  the  desired  object,  and  may  with  difficulty  be  repaired  : 
in  other  words,  the  results  of  trial  may  show  it  to  be  an  expensive  mechani- 
cal agent. 

For  the  Silky  cottons  produced  on  the  Sea. Islands  of  South-Carolina,  the 
planter  is  indebted  to  the  botanical  skill  and  laudable  perseverance  of  Kinsey 


See  Note  D.  in  the  appendix. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


143 


Burden,  Sen.,  of  St.  John’s  Colieton.  An  improvement  in  the  texture  of  the 
wool  engaged  his  earnest  attention  as  early  as  1804  or  1805.  In  one  of 
those  years,  he  raised  from  selected  seed  a “ pocket”  of  cotton,  worth  in  the 
English  market  “ 25  cents  per  lb.  more  than  any  other  cottons  at  any  price.” 
From  that  time  he  laboured  zealously  in  this  new  branch  of  his  profession 
until  1820,  when  he  sold  his  first  full  crop,  60  bags  at  110  cents  a pound. 
The  crop  of  the  following  year  commanded  125  cents  per  lb.  It  is  proper 
here  to  observe  that  between  1921  and  1829,  the  average  price  of  common 
long  cotton  was  24  cents,  and  of  the  superior  kinds  from  35  to  60  cents. 
Mr.  Burden’s  extraordinary  success  was  for  many  years  the  theme  of  public 
notice  and  private  discussion.  All  means  to  penetrate  the  arcanum  of  which 
intellectual  efforts  were  capable  had  proved  abortive.  In  March,  1827,  “ a 
report  acompnied  by  sundry  letters,  on  the  causes  which  contribute  to  the 
production  of  fine  Sea-Island  cotton,”  was  read  before  the  Agricultural 
Society  of  St.  John’s,  Colleton,  by  their  corresponding  Secretary.*  The 
publication^  of  these  papers  created  some  excitement  in  the  Parishes.  It 
brought  the  mind  of  the  planter  to  bear  with  more  intensity  on  the  absorb, 
ing  question  which  the  report  attempted  to  discuss.  The  remarks  of  the 
writer  on  the  selection  of  seed,  induced  many  to  think,  that  perhaps  to  this 
cause  Mr.  Burden’s  celebrity  as  a seller  was  indebted.  Subsequently,  Wil- 
liam Elliott  of  Beaufort,  through  the  pages  of  the  Southern  Agriculturist, £ 
expressed  his  belief  that  the  secret  was  in  the  seed  ; hence,  that  the  furred 
seed  should  no  longer  be  cast  aside.  Experiments  were  then  instituted  to  try 
the  truth  of  the  new  opinion,  thus,  for  the  first  time,  publicly  avowed  by  two, 
and  in  conversation  by  several  other  persons.  The  clean  seed  was  rejee'ed, 
and  that  coated  wholly  or  partially  with  down,  retained.  The  result  was  a 
complete  solution  of  the  mystery  which  had  so  long  enshrouded  this  subject. 
One  of  the  experimenters  obtained  for  the  small  quantity  grown  by  him  one 
dollar  a pound.  The  product  nevertheless  was  so  meagre  as  scarcely  to  be 
remunerating.  This  occurred  in  1829.  In  the  year  previous,  Hugh  Wilson, 
Sen.  of  St.  John’s,  Colleton,  appeared  on  a small  scale  as  the  rival  of  his 
Parish  fellow-laborer.  For  ten  bags  of  cotton  he  realized  90  cents  a pound, 
and  for  his  two  succeeding  crops  SI  and  SI  25  cents  a pound.  For  two 
bags  of  extra-fine  cotton,  raised  in  1828,  82  per  pound  was  received,  the 
highest  price  ever  obtained  in  this  or  any  other  country  from  which  cotton 
wool  is  exported.  Mr.  Burden’s  discovery  was  held  to  be  so  valuable  to  the 
State,  that  he  was  induced  to  forward  a memorial  to  the  Legislature,  offering 
to  sell  his  secret  for  8200,000 ; he  resigning  all  his  seed,  except  what  was 
necessary  for  his  own  crop,  and  communicating  the  mode  of  perpetuating  the 

* YVhitemarsk  B.  Seabrook. 

t Southern  Agriculturist,  vol.  i.  pp.  25,  71,  119.  flbid.  vol.  1,  p.  151. 


144 


agricultural 


silky  properties  of  the  new  cotton  fibre. § The  memorial,  for  reasons  sabs-* 
factory  to  the  applicant,  was  never  presented. 

The  further  history  of  this  sudden  revolution  in  one  of  our  chief  staples 
need  not  be  given.  It  is  proper,  however,  to  add,  that  while  the  quality  of 
the  wool  has  been  vastly  improved,  the  product  of  the  plant  has  been  more 
than  proportionally  diminished  ;*  although,  therefore,  the  pecuniary  circum- 
stances of  individuals  have  been  greatly  meliorated,  the  planters  generally 
have  sustained  a loss—io  some  instances  to  an  almost  ruinous  extent. 

Cotton  may  appropriately  be  divided  into  three  kinds : 1st.  Herbaceous 
cotton  5 2d.  shrub  cotton  ; 3d.  tree  cotton. f The  first  is  the  most  useful, 
and  is  cultivated  in  nearly  every  country  congenial  to  the  gossypium.  It 
exists  native  at  Aleppo,  in  Upper  Egypt,  Arabia,  and  in  Senegal.  Of  the 
seven  varieties^;  of  the  shrub  cotton,  one  or  other  grows  spontaneously  in  the 
tropical  regions  of  Asia,  Africa,  and  America.  In  the  latter  continent,  the 
Hirsutum  or  hairy,  (seeds  greenish)  and  the  Barbadense§§  or  Barbadoes  cot- 
ton, (a  black  seed)  are  indigenous.||  To  the  shrub  species  all  the  South 
American,  and  most  of  the  West  India  cotton,  which  is  long-stapled,  is  to  be 
referred.  The  tree  cotton,  according  to  one  authority,  grows  in  India,  China, 
Egypt,  the  interior  and  western  coast  of  Africa,  and  in  some  parts  of  America ; 
by  another,  it  is  a native  uf  India,  Egypt,  and  Arabia. 

Quatremere  Disjouval,  a prominent  member  of  the  Academy  of  Sciences 
of  Paris,  in  speaking  of  the  influence  of  climate  on  the  texture  and  quality  of 
cotton,  advances  the  following  hypothesis  that  the  produce  of  the  countries 
immediately  under  or  nearest  the  Equator,  is  to  be  considered  the  type  of 

§ At  one  time,  William  Seabrook,  a wealthy  and  enterprising  plainer  of  Edisto  Island, 
was  prepared,  and  publicly  declared  his  design,  to  offer  the  discoverer  $50,000  for  the 
information  on  this  subjpct  of  which  he  Was  possessed  About  twelve  months  afterwards, 
Mi.  S.  declined  to  purchase,  because,  in  his  belief,  conjecture  had  yielded  to  certainty-- 
to  the  seed  solely  was  traceable  the  fine  cotton  which  Mr.  Burden  continued  to  grow. 

* Sec  Note  E.  [n  the  appendix.  The  diminution  in  the  exports  since  1S30,  when  fine 
cottons  began  to  be  generally  cultivated,  compared  with  the  eieven  preceding  years,  is 
very  large. 

t Among  some  of  the  ancient  writers,  says  Dr.  Ure,  the  cotton  tree,  bombyz  pentnndrium, 
is  confounded  with  the  tree  cotton.  The  former  does  not  belong  to  the  gossypium  family. 
It  was  probably  the  cotton  tree,  “six  yards  high,”  which  Marco  Polo  saw  growing  at  GuZ 
serat. 

+ Gossypium  Indicum,  or  the  Indian,  viti  folium,  or  vine-leafed;  hirsutum,  or  hairy , 
religiosuui,  or  the  cotton  of  the  Nuns— this  species  is  very  difficult  to  be  detached  from  the 
seeds  t the  Nuns  of  Tranquebar  were  first  employed  in  the  operation  ; iatifolium  or  broad, 
leafed;  Bavbadense,  Peruvianum. 

Called  by  the  English  in  the  East  Indies,  says  Dr.  Ure,  the  Bourbon  cotton,  because- 
about  26  years  ago,  it  was  introduced  there  from  that  Island.  The  seed,  he  further  (erro- 
neously J remarks,  originally  came  from  the  West  Indies.— pp.  71,  72. 

H Ure.  pp.  65—67. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


145 


excellence,  and  is  distinguished  by  its  fine  silky  fibre,  the  depth  and  peculi- 
arity of  its  colour,  and  the  bight  and  permanency  of  trie  plant.  In  propor- 
tion, he  remarks,  as- we  recede  from  the  Equator,  these  strong  marked  char- 
acters disappear,  the  fibre  becomes  coarse,  its  colour  a perfect  white,  and,  on 
the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean,  we  -toehold  the  lofty  and  flourishing  tree  of 
Hindostan,  dwindled  down  into  a stunted  annual  shrub.  Of  these  broad  and 
unqualified  assertions,  there  is  but  one  that  rests  on  a tenable  basis : — that 
the  perennnial  plant  of  the  Equator  becomes  an  annual  in  a higher  latitude. 
The  averment,  that  the  finest  and  deepest  coloured  cotton,  is  the  produce  of 
the  tropical  countries  is  reiterated  on  even  higher  authority. [1]  This  is  false  as 
a general  proposition,  and  only  true  concerning  locations.  The  coarsest  cot- 
tons known  in  commerce,  except  some  from  Peru,  between  5 and  15  degs. 
south,  which  are  of  a dark  hue,  and  as  coarse  as  the  wool  of  sheep,  are  the 
Bengal,  21  deg.  north,  and  the  Surat  24  deg.  10  min.  north  ; the  finest,  and 
in  all  other  respects  the  best,  cottons  are  produced  on  the  Sea-islands  of 
South  Carolina,  10  deg.  beyond  the  Tropic  of  Cancer.  To  the  latter,  as 
well  as  those  of  the  Isle  of  France,  20  deg.  9 min.  south,  Dacca,  23  deg.  55 
min.  north,  and  Egypt,  about  30  deg.  north,  the  cotton  of  Guiana,  within  5 
deg.  of  the  Equator,  is  decidedly  inferior.  The  worst  native  cotton  in  the 
east  grows  in  Java,  T deg.  south.  The  cottons.of  South  America  in  the  hot- 
test region,  it  is  true,  are  of  a better  quality  than  those  of  the  Levant ; on 
the  other  hand,  some  of  the  West  India  kinds  are  lower  in  value  than  the 
green  seed  varieties  of  this  country.  These  two,  as  is  especially  the  case 
in  our  State,  oft-times  grow  within  a few  miles  of  the  long-staple  cotton,  and 
in  certain  localities  side  by  side ; yet  the  best  sorts  of  the  latter  are  worth 
eight  hundred  percent,  more  than  the  best  sorts  of  the  former.  So  much 
for  the  effect  of  climate  on  the  fibre  of  cotton,  in  opposition  to  the  gradation 
of  the  French  philosopher’s  system.  With  regard  to  the  colour  of  cotton, 
the  yellowish  hue  of  which  is  indicative  of  fineness,  climate  has  but  an  incon- 
siderable  effect.  The  cottons  on  the  coasts  of  South. Carolina  and  Georgia 
are  tinged,  and  some  varieties  deeply,  with  yellow,  while  the  inland  districts 
of  those  States,  and  their  more  southern  neighbors,  as  far  as  the  Red  River, 
produce  cotton  of  great  whiteness,  and  far  inferior  in  strength  and  fineness. 

A portion  of  the  West  India  cotton  is  of  a cream  colour;  and  some  frem 
India  is  represented  to  have  l<  a slight  tinge  of  Aurora  ” The  cottons  on 
Bengal,  Madras,  and  Surat,  of  Smyrna,  Cyprus,  Salonica,  and  all  parts  of  the 
Levant,  are  distinguished  by  their  want  of  colour — this  is  also  said  of  Siam, 
famous  for  its  nankeen.  The  Dacca  cotton[2]  is  deeply  coloured,  and  although 

] Rees’  Encyclopedia— article  Cotton. 

Q A variety  of  the  common  herbaceous  annual  cotton  of  India, — Baines,  p.  62. 

10 


146 


AGRICULTURAL 


it  is  consumed  in  that  Province,  and  consequently  Unknown  in  commerce- 
still,  from  an  examination[l]  of  the  muslin,  denominated  in  hyperbolical  lan- 
guage, “ webs  of  woven  wind,”  and  “ which  can  hardly  be  felt  when  expand- 
ed,” it  has  been  satisfactorily  ascertained  to  be  of  a coarser  fibre  than  the 
better  qualities  of  our  cotton,  grown  near  the  ocean.  While  a pound  of  that 
cotton  in  a single  thread,  would  extend  to  the  distance  only  of  115  miles.  2 
furlongs,  and  80  yards,  cotton  yarn  is  spun  in  England,  making  350  hanks  to 
the  pound  weight,  each  hank  measuring  840  yds.,  and  the  whole  forming  a 
thread  of  167  miles  in  length. [2]  Further,  420  hanks  certainly,  and,  it  is 
asserted,  from  490  to  500  hanks,  per  pound,  have  been  spun  in  Manchester 
with  cotton  from  South-Carolinu — thus  yielding  a thread  from  197  to  over 
238  miles  long. 

The  valuable  properties[3]  of  cotton  wool  in  their  relative  order  are  strength, 
fineness,  length,  evenness,  and  freedom  from  knots  and  entanglements.  The 
superiority  of  our  Sea-Island  cotton  over  all  other  kinds, [4]  is  owing  to  their 
fibres  being  “spiral  springs,  singularly  adapted  to  the  spinning  process,  rea- 
dily entwining  with,  and  sliding  over,  each  other,  during  the  formation  of  a 
thread  with  an  easy  elastic  force.  The  filaments  of  these  cottons  vary  from 
one  to”  two  w inches,  and,  in  breadth  from  1 - 1 500th  to  l-3000th  of  an  inch.”[5j 

1 This  was  made  by  Sir  Joseph  Banks  in  India,  who  used  the  following  language  on  the 
occasion: — “The  portion  of  skein  which  Mr.  Williams  gave  to  me  weighed  34  3-10t!u 
grains ; its  length  was  5 yds.  7 inches,  and  it  consisted  of  196  threads.  Consequently,  its 
whole  length  was  1018  yards  and  7 inches.  This,  with  a small  allowance  for  fractions,  gives 
29  yards  to  a grain,  203,000  to  a pound  avoirdupois  of  7,000  grains  ; that  is,  115  miles.  2 
furlongs,  and  GO  yards.” — Baines,  p.  59. 

2 The  value  of  cotton  yarn  is  estimated  by  its  length,  and  is  numbered  so  as  to  determine 
the  number  of  hanks  requisite  to  weigh  erne  pound.  One  pound  of  No.  100  contain? 
84,000  yards.  The  extreme  of  fineness,  says  Mr.  Baines,  in  his  work  on  the  Cottou  Matt 
ufactures  of  Great  Britain,  published  in  1835,  to  which  yarns  for  muslins  are  ever  spun  in 
England  ,is  250  hanks  to  the  pound,  which  w ould  yield  a thread  measuring  1194  miles.  A 
pound  of  fine  cotton,  manufactured  into  the  finest  lace,  is  worth  from  8 to  15  guinea?,  and 
has  been  sold  as  high  as  100  guineas. — 3 1'Cu'Joch's  Com.  Die. — article,  Lace. 

3 Unlike  that  of  flax,  which  is  vitreous,  the  lustre  of  cotton,  observes  Dr.  Ure,  is  pearly. 
The  flax  fibre  is  straight  and  jointed  like  cane,  but  that  of  cotton  is  either  twisted  right  and 
left,  or  coiled  like  a cork-screw. 

4 Ten  years  ago,  the  difference  between  the  staple  of  our  Sea-Island  cotton,  and  that 
of  Egypt,  Brazil,  and  some  of  the  West  India  sorts,  was  about  20  per  cent,  in  favor  of  the 
former.  Owing  to  a more  favorable  climate,  superior  husbandry,  and  the  raising  ol  super 
fine  qualities,  the  difference  may  now  be  estimated  at  from  30  tc  50  per  cent.,  and  over,  if 
the  silkiest  kinds  be  included. — See  Note  F.  in  the  Appendix. 

5 Though  these  cottons  are  so  much  superior  to  that  of  Dacca,  yet  the  skilful  English 
weaver,  supported  by  the  triumphant  results  of  mechanical  science,  is  tillable  to  compete 
with  the  feeble  hand  of  the  Hindoo  in  the  manufacture  of  a certain  class  of  goods.  This  ig 
ascribable  to  the  remarkable  acuteness  of  external  sense,  particularly  of  touch,  and  the 
flexibility  of  the  fingers  of  the  people  of  that  region;  “the  high  estimation  in  which  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


147 


But  to  return  to  the  subject  of  our  comments.  Disjouval’s  theory  is  op- 
posed  to  analogical  reasoning.  Nature  is  bountiful  in  all  her  works,  but 
these  are  not  bestowed  with  the  hand  of  favoritism.  For  poverty  of  soil, 
man  is  blessed  with  health,  and  the  uninterrupted  exercise  of  all  his  faculties. 
Where  the  land  is  fertile,  and  teems  with  a variety  of  rich  gifts,  disease  is 
the  inseparable  concomitant.  If  certain  products  grow  more  luxuriantly 
in  the  warmest  latitudes,  the  quality  of  those  products  improves  as  you  recede 
from  the  Equator,  until  a point  is  reached  where  retrocession  takes  place, 
and  some  other  plant  is  substituted.  This  is  especially  true  of  cotton.  In 
the  exceptions  which  apparently  militate  against  the  general  proposition,  you 
still  find  its  truth  maintained  in  the  absence  of  things  essential  to  the  culti- 
vator’s physical  or  moral  well-being. 

To  preserve  the  properties  of  cotton,  remarkable  for  production  or  quality, 
annual  selections,  it  is  here  necessary  to  repeat,  are  personally  made  by  the 
planter.  A more  irksome  duty,  requiring,  too,  much  experience  and  skill,  is 
seldom  performed.  But,  in  surmounting  one  difficulty,  another  of  his  own 
creation  awaits  him.  This  is  imputed  to  the  ill  judged  manner  of  disposing 
of  the  seed,  which  is  peculiarly  liable  to  run  into  varieties.  This  last  con- 
sideration readily  accounts  for  the  confounding  of  all  distinctions  by  botanists-, 
and  their  disagreement  as  to  the  number  of  varieties  of  the  gossypium.  Lin- 
nteus  reckons  five,  and  other  writers  severally  eight,  eleven,  thirteen,  thirty- 
four,  forty,  and  even  one  hundred  kinds.  The  varieties  are  still  more  diffi- 
cult to  be  enumerated  in  consequence  of  the  influence  of  climate,  soil,,  manure, 
cultivation,  and  intermixture  of  seeds.  These  causes  not  only  tend  to  their 
multiplication,  but  to  change  the  longevity  of  the  plant.  The  shrub  culti- 
vated as  an  annual  in  one  country,  becomes  perennial  in  another.  The 
arboreum  continues  for  five  or  six  years  in  the  West  Indies — here  it  is  an 
annual.  In,  probably,  every  acre  of  a cotton-field  several  kinds  of  the  gos- 
sypium may  be  found.  The  differences  are  sometimes  minute,  but  even 
without  inspection  by  a botanical  eye,  they  may  be  detected.  The  select 
seed  of  the  grower,  by  the  usual  practice,  is  carefully  deposited  in  choice 
ground,  which,  if  there  be  many  acres,  lies  in  many  instances  immediately 
contiguous  to  his  main  crop — sometimes  a narrow  path  alone  separating  them. 
Hence,  the  pollen  of  the  larger  field  impregnates  the  pistils  of  the  smaller 
field.  In  this  way  the  peculiar  character  of  the  wool  is  lost,  and  another 

calling  of  the  weaver  is  held;  and  the  confining  of  the  production  of  peculiar  kinds  of 
cloth  to  peculiar  districts,  in  which  they  have  been  fabricated  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion.” In  former  days,  from  900  lbs.  to  1,000  lbs.  in  the  seed  were  necessary  to  yield 
300  lbs.,  or  one  bag  of  ginned  cotton.  Now,  in  reference  to  our  better  qualities,  it  requires 
from  5 lbs.  to  7 lbs.  of  the  former  to-  make  one  of  the  latter.  Although  a still  finer  cotton, 
it  is  experimentally  known,  can  be  grown  yet,  from  the  poverty  of  its  product,  it  is  believed, 
that  the  point  of  perfection,  as  far  as  a profitable  culture  is  concerned,  has  been  reached- 


148 


AGRICULTURAL 


variety  springs  up.  The  operation  of  the  farina  fecundans  of  plants  no 
jonger  rests  on  surmise  and  conjecture.  By  the  discovery  and  observation  of 
John  Bywater,  of  Liverpool,  on  animal cuti. r infusoria ?,  and  on  the  physiology 
of  plants,  we  are  furnished  with  some  curious  and  interesting  information  on 
this  subject.  His  examinations  go-  to  show,  that  the  small  capsules  of  the 
farina  fecundans  give  out  when  in  contact  with  water,  an  abundance  of  ani. 
malcules,  which  are  supposed  to  be  the  mysterious  agents  by  which  vegetable 
secretions  are  carried  forward.  The  obvious  expedient,  then,  is  the  rearing 
of  varieties  of  the  some  species  at  such  distances  as  to  prevent  the  intermix- 
ture of  the  pollen  of  the  plants.  This  is  successfully  done  in  Scotland  with 
garden  seeds,  which,  it  is  asserted,  may  be  found  pure  in  certain  sections  of 
that  country.  If  the  size  of  the  plantation  admit,  unless  some  such  scheme 
be  adopted,  specific  differences  cannot  be  maintained,  and  the  labour  of  the 
planter  will  be  permanent. 

The  length  to  which  this  memoir  has  already  been  extended,  forbids  the 
introduction  of  many  topics,  which  otherwise  would  invite  a passing  notice. 
A few  remarks,  therefore,  only  on  one  or  two  collateral  points  will  now  be 
submitted.  A short  time  after  cotton,  as  a crop,  had  been  successfully  cul- 
tivated in  this  State,  it  was  attacked  by  some  of  its  natural  foes.  In  Georgia, 
the  caterpillar,  nociua  xylinci , or  cotton  moth,  made  its  appearance  as  early  as 
1793. [1]  Seven  years  afterwards,  they  commenced  the  work  of  devastation 
in  South-Carolina.[2]  In  1804,  the  crops,  which  would  have  been  devoured  by 
than,  were,  with  the  enemy,  effectually  destroyed  by  the  hurricane  of  that 
year.  In  1825, [3]  the  visit  of  the  worm  was  renewed,  and  its  ravages  were 
universal  and  complete.  In  1827,  ’29,  ’33,  ’34,  ’40,  ’41  and  ’43,  the  lower 
Parishes[4j  generally,  or  particular  locations,  suffered  greatly  by  its  depreda- 
tions. 

That  the  cotton-moth  frequently  survives  the  frosty  season  is  nearly  certain. 
An  examination  of  the  neighboring  woods,  especially  after  a mild  winter,  has 
often  been  successfully  made  for  that  purpose.  They  were  seen  by  the  writer 
in  May  last  at  the  edge  of  a strip  of  pines,  within  a few  yards  of  a cotton- 
field.  In  the  winter  of  1325,  Benjamin  Reynolds  of  St.  John’s,  Colleton, 
deceased,  found  them  in  the  woods,  principally  on  the  cedar  bush,  encased 
alive  in  their  cover,  impervious  to  water,  and  secured  to  a twig  by  a thread. 

1 “In  that  year,”  says  Mr.  Spalding,  “the  destruction  was  complete.  From  Major 
Butler’s  field  of  400  acres,  only  18  bags  were  made-” 

2 This  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact,  that  long  cotton,  as  a crop,  was  not  generally  groivn 
in  South-Carolina  until  1798. 

3 Between  1804  and  1825  their  depredations  were  occasional,  and  theu  confined  to  par- 
ticular fields. 

4 The  Caterpillar  is  seldom  seen  in  the  upper  parishes. 


PROCEEDINGS.  149 

The  pupse,  wrapped  in  cotton-leaves,  from  their  bleak  exposure,  invariably 
die  on  the  approach  of  cold  weather. 

The  injury  that  has  often  been  committed  by  the  caterpillar  is  almost 
incredible.  In  one  week  they  had  denuded  of  its  foliage  every  stalk  in  the 
largest  held.  The  cotton  plant  of  Guiana  was  very  subject  to  the  attack  of 
the  Chenille,  as  the  caterpillar  is  there  called.  In  the  Bahamas,  between 
March  and  September,  1738,  no  less  than  280  tons  of  cotton  on  a moderate 
scale  were  devoured  by  this  worm. [I]  Among  the  causes  of  failure  of  tire 
crop  in  that  quarter,  as  ascertained  by  answers  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
experienced  planters  to  questions  proposed  by  the  House  of  Assembly,  the 
most  prominent  is  the  destruction  by  the  Chenille.  The  same  cause  pro- 
duced the  abandonment  of  the  gossypium  culture  in  several  of  the  West 
India  Islands. [2] 

It  will  be  perceived,  from  what  has  been  said,  that  the  attack  of  the  cater- 
pillar in  this  country  is  not  annual.  This  of  itself  is  satisfactory  evidence, 
that  the <!  evolution  of  the  larvae,  and  the  transformations  and  death  of  the  in- 
sect, or  the  appearance  and  disappearance  of  the  Chenille,  are  regulated  or 
influenced  by  particular  states  of  the  atmosphere  and  probably,  as  close 
observers  have  remarked,  by  “ the  phases  or  changes  of  the  moon.”  Every 
effort  which  the  most  scrutinizing  and  active  minds  have  hitherto  suggested 
to  prevent  their  propagation,  or  to  render  innoxious  the  career  of  these  in- 
satiable depredators,  has  utterly  failed.  From  this  consideration,  added  to 
their  great  tenacity  of  life  and  extraordinary  fecundity,  it  is  supposed  that  the 
ordinary  means  of  affecting  either  of  those  desirable  ends  will  never  succeed. 
The  caterpillar,  after  being  plunged  into  spirits  of  turpentine,  or  corrosive 
sublimate,  is  as  ready  for  its  all-day  meal,  as  though  it  had  been  immersed  in 
pure  water.  If  the  section  of  the  field  in  which  the  pupte  only  are  seen,  be 
burnt,  the  progress  of  the  worm,  as  experience  testifies,  will  scarcely  be  im- 
peded. Lime  will  quickly  produce  death,  and  so  will  oil  rubbed  on  the  ab- 
domen, but  how  can  these  be  used  efficaciously  o i the  larvae,  When  from 
five  to  ten  hundred  on  a plant  are  frequently  seen?  Or  can  the  pup®,  re' 
posing  in  their  glutinous  cells,  be  affected  by  any  external  application?  In 
this  way  the  planter  reasons,  and  when  the  enemy  appears,  no  means  what- 
ever are  now  employed  to  preserve  the  fruits  of  his  labour.  As  it  is  the  will  of 
Providence,  he  assures  himself,  submission  becomes  a duty. 

In  relation  to  this  matter,  it  may  be  asked, — is  the  object  at  which  the  grow, 
er  has  so  long  aimed,  unattainable?  Let  the  following  statement  answer. — 
The  caterpillars  appeared  in  several  parts  of  a field  of  John  Townsend,  of 
St.  John’s  Colleton,  early  in  August  last.  The  plants  were  luxuriant  in 

1 Edwards’  West  Indies. 

2 Ibid. 


150 


AGRICULTURAL 


growth,  and  tender  in  weed  and  leaf,  and  the  weather  being  warm  and  rather 
moist,  was  altogether  propitious  to  the  spread  and  multiplying  of  the  worms. 
By  the  adoption  of  prompt  and  vigorous  measures,  some  of  which  are  new. 
and  a rigid  perseverance  in  their  execution,  his  crop  escaped  unscathed) 
while  many  of  his  fellow-labourers,  who  lacked  faith  in  any  remedy,  suffered 
greatly.  In  the  attainment  of  his  purpose,  the  means  resorted  to  by  Mr. 
Townsend  were  the  following  : — 

1.  His  people  searched  for  and  killed  both  the  worm  and  the  chrysalis  of 
the  first  brood. 

2.  On  the  appearance  of  the  second  brood,  he  scattered  corn  over  the 
field  to  invite  the  notice  of  the  birds,  and  while  they  depredated  on  the  worms 
on  the  tops  of  the  stalks  and  their  upper  limbs,  the  turkeys  destroyed  the 
enemy  on  the  lower  branches. 

3.  When  in  the  aurelia  state,  the  negroes  crushed  them  between  their 
fingers. 

4.  Some  patches  of  cotton,  where  the  caterpillars  were  very  thick,  and 
the  birds  and  turkeys  could  not  get  access  to  them,  were  destroyed. 

5.  The  tops  of  the  plants,  and  the  ends  of  all  the  tender  and  luxuriant 
branches,  where  the  eggs  of  the  butterfly  are  usually  deposited,  were  cut 
off. 

By  these  means,  resolutely  pursued,  although  at  one  time  the  prospect  ot 
checking  the  depredators  was  almost  cheerless,  not  the  slightest  injury  to 
the  field  was  sustained. (1)  As  the  reasons  for  the  measures  adopted  by  Mr. 
Townsend  are  perhaps  apparent,  it  behoves  the  planter  to  reflect  that,  on  the 
first  visit[2]  of  the  caterpillars,  while  their  number  is  few, 'they  might  be,  if  not 
entirely  gotten  rid  of,  materially  lessened  ; that  in  the  pupae  state  they  are 
easily  detected,  andofeourre  as  easily  killed  ; and  that  while  early  and  inde- 
fatigable exertions  may  be  crowned  with  success,  delay  or  tardiness  in  his 
operations  will  certainly  be  fatal. 

In  Georgia,  the  aHack  of  the  red  bug,  a winged  insect  with  a long  probos- 
cis, with  which  it  pierces  the  green  pods,  extracting  the  juices  of  the  seed, 
and  leaving  the  capsules  blighted  and  hard,  and  the  cotton  stained  of  a deep 
yellow  or  red  colour,  is  coeval  with  that  of  the  caterpillar.  Although  this  in- 
sect is  an  occasional  depredator  in  the  fields  of  this  State,  yet  no  material  loss 

1 The  experiment  cost  Mr.  Townsend  2£  acres  of  cotton,  about  15  bushels  ofcorn,and 
the  work  of  all  his  people  for  about  five  days.  This  gentleman  was  roused  to  uuusual 
action  by  the  reflection,  founded  on  analogical  reasoning,  that,  of  one  moth  of  feeble  wing 
and  tender  body,  which  a vigilant  eye  might  discover  and  destroy,  the  pogeny  in  six  weeks 
amount  to  at  least  26  millions  of  worms. 

2 This  is  communicated  to  the  planter  through  the  sense  of  smell.  When  the  chenille 
appears,  a very  fragrant  odour  issues  fionr  the  field,  which  is  not  possessed  by  the  worm 
tself,  or  the  plant  separately. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


151 


has  been  sustained  by  it.  This  is  also  true  of  the  apala  moncichus,  a species 
of  the  scarable,  the  larvae  of  which,  eating  with  a revolving  motion,  pene- 
trate to  the  wood  and  pith  of  the  cotton-stalk.  Red  bugs,  that  prey  on  the 
roots  and  leaves  of  cotton,  usually  early  in  May,  though  their  appearance  is 
not  uncommon  in  April,  are  certainly  becoming  more  destructive  and  exten- 
sive in  their  visits.  By  the  latter,  the  growth  of  the  plant  is  in  general  only 
checked;  but  the  former, (1)  by  arresting  the  ascent  and  circulation  of  the 
sap,  generates  a disease,  which,  if  it  do  not  destroy,  renders  the  plants  com- 
paratively barren.  The  grub  or  cut-worm,  if  the  spring  be  cold,  and  east 
winds  prevail,  is  a troublesome,  but  not  a formidable,  enemy.  The  blast  or 
blight  is  now  perhaps,  the  most  common  of  all  the  diseases  to  which  cotton 
is  liable.  Its  tendency  is  to  check  or  destroy  the  vegetative  powers  of  the 
plants.  The  causes  of  blast  are  three-fold  : — excess  of  vegetation,  corres- 
ponding with  plethora  in  animals  ; exhaustion  of  vegetation,  terminating  in  a 
state  similar  to  gangrene  ; and  wetness  at  the  roots.  When  the  first  takes 
place,  the  cotton  is  pronounced  “ flaggy  ;”  the  appearance  of  the  second  is 
denominated  “ canker,”  of  which  there  are  two  kinds : in  one  the  plant  is 
stripped  of  its  fruit  and  foliage,  except  a few  green  buds  on  the  top  ; in  the 
other,  the  leaves  wither — the  stalks  assume  a dark  hue,  and  the  pods  drop, 
save  those  nearly  full-grown,  which  become  hard  and  black,  though  they 
produce  cotton.  In  relation  to  the  third  cause,  as  long  as  the  roots  are 
saturated  with  water,  the  procreative  energies  of  the  plants  are  arrested, 
and  all  the  fruit  previously  formed  quickly  disappear.  While  the  manuring 
system,  where  judiciously  practised,  has  almost  effectually  removed  one 
cause,  and  the  main  one,  arising  from  vegetative  exhaustion,  [2]  it  has  pal- 
pably increased  the  plethoric  habits  of  the  plant,  and  multiplied  the  number 
of  its  diseases,  most  of  which,  there  are  good  grounds  for  believing,  is  ani* 
mal.  It  should,  hence,  be  the  paramount  duty  of  the  grower,  unless  an  an- 
tidote, like  salt  for  instance,  be  applied,  to  use  sparingly  those  manures, 
which  furnish  a matrix  for  generating  or  nourishing  the  insect  brood. 

It  has  been  well  said  by  a judicious  observer  (3)  that,  of  all  the  produc- 
tions to  which  labour  is  applicable,  the  cotton  plant,  more  particularly  the 
species  grown  on  the  Sea-Islands,  is  the  most  precarious.  In  its  first  stage 
it  is  attacked  by  the  grub  ; it  is  devoured  by  bugs  in  the  second  ; and  by 
caterpillars  in  the  third;  it  is  often  withered  by  the  wind  in  its  infancy,  and 

1 Wherever  salt  is  applied  on  the  listing,  at  the  rate  of  one  pint  to  the  task-row,  (105 
feet,)  it  is  confidently  believed,  that  the  bug  will  not  appear. 

2 Sometimes  on  poorhighland,  assisted  with  any  matter,  salt-mud  especially,  that  brings 
the  plant  rapidly  to  maturity,  this  disease  will  appear,  if  a drought  be  succeeded  by  heavy 
rains  in  August.  To  prevent  this,  do  not  use  mud  alone,  but  in  connexion  with  some 
stimulating  aliment.  Such  lands  should  not  be  planted  until  the  last  of  April. 

3 Pryan  Edwards,  in  his  History  of  the  West  Indies. 


152 


AGRICULTURAL 


by  the  blight  in  mature r age  ; and  when  the  grower,  excited  by  ail  the  causes 
which  hope  so  kindly  presents  to  his  ardent  imagination,  is  about  to  reap 
the  golden  harvest,  an  equinoxial  gale,  or  a few  saturating  showers,  deprive 
him  at  once  of  the  fruits  of  his  labours,  and  bid  him  to  reassume  the  toils 
and  vexations  of  his  vocation.  And  here  it  may  pertinently  be  added,  that 
“ when  the  produce  is  raised,  at  an  expense  to  the  cultivator  which  perhaps  is 
not  equalled  in  any  other  pursuit — an  expense  too  that  is  permanent  and 
certain,  while  the  returns  are  more  variable  and  fluctuating  than  any  other — 
the  selfish  and  grasping  policy  of  man  is  oftentimes  more  destructive  than 
even  the  anger  of  Omnipotence.” 

Apart  from  the  suicidal  legislation  of  the  Federal  authorities,  our  planters 
have  no  cause  for  despondency.  Every  view  of  the  subject  on  the  contrary 
imperiously  invites  them  to  persevere.  In  confirmation  of  this  assertion, 
there  are  two  considerations,  one  of  a general  and  the  other  of  a local  charac- 
ter, to  which  I would  briefly  invite  your  notice — the  first  showing,  that  bet- 
ter and  cheaper  cotton  can  be  grown  in  this  country  than  in  any  other  sec- 
tion of  the  world  ; the  other,  that  by  a little  more  attention  to  the  processes 
that  succeed  the  gathering  season,  the  disparity  between  the  South -Carolina 
planter  and  his  more  southern  associates,  in  relation  to  the  money  value  of 
their  respective  crops,  would  be  considerably  lessened.  And,  first,  in  refer- 
ence to  nearly  every  part  of  the  globe  where  cotton  is  grown  for  European 
consumption  and  manufacture,  it  is  undeniable,  that  while  the  production  of 
the  raw  material  in  the  United  States  is  rapidly  extending,  in  other  countries 
it  is  either  stationary  or  diminishing.[l]  Secondly,  although  with  regard  to 
the  amount  of  cotton  per  acre,  South  Carolina  cannot  compete  with  the 
Gulph  States, [2]  yet  her  planters,  in  consequence  of  this  apparent  misfortune, 
are  enabled  to  send  the  wool  to  market  greatly  improved  in  value  by  a su- 
perior mode  of  handling.  One  cent  more  per  pound,  occasioned  by  a better 
style  of  preparation,  taking  the  crop  of  the  last  year  as  a basis,  would 
yield  to  the  growers  over  $900, 000. 

The  American  saw-gin,  and  the  wonderful  discoveries  and  inventions  in 
England  in  the  operations  of  carding,  spinning, [3]  and  weaving  cotton, 

1 Note  A.,  and  Tables  3 and  4,  in  the  Appendix. 

2 While  the  production  in  the  Gulph  States  has  doubled  itseiffor  the  eighteen  years, 
from  1824  to  1841  inclusive;  that  of  the  Southern  Atlantic  States  for  the  same  period  has 
remained  nearly  stationary. 

Actualaverage  of  the  eighteen  crops  from  1S24  to  1841 : — 

1st  6 years.  2d  6 years.  3d  6 years. 

Gulph  States,  253,000  bales  504,000  bales  1,030,000  hales. 

Southern  Atlantic  States,  433,000  “ 522,000  “ 529,000  " 

3 Of  the  inventions  of  the  “water  frame”  by  Arkwright,  the  “spinning  jenny"  by  Har- 
greaves, and  the  “ mule  jenny”  by  Samuel  Crompton,  the  two  first  occurred  a short  time 


PROCEEDINGS. 


153 


gave  binh  to  the  cotton-husbandry  in  the  United  States.  The  application 
of  steam  to  the  propelling  of  the  cotton-machinery,  and  for  purposes  of  navi- 
gation ; the  improvements  in  ship-building,  which  enable  vessels  that  for- 
merly carried  only  900  pounds  to  the  ton  of  register,  now  to  carry  from  1500 
to  2000  pounds  to  the  ton,  separate  from  the  skill  and  industry  of  the  culti- 
vator, have  materially  contributed  to  its  unparalleled  extension. 

In  consequence  of  its  abundance,  and  the  facility  with  which  it  can  be 
twisted  into  a thread,  cotton  is  the  cheapest  of  all  materials  for  clothing  ; and 
what,  perhaps,  is  of  scarcely  less  importance,  it  is  in  a high  degree  condu- 
cive to  health.  For  these  reasons,  it  is  gradually  supplanting  flax,  silk,  and 
wool,  as  an  article  of  wear,  or  forms  a component  part  of  all  of  them. 
From  its  exchangeable  value,  and  constituting  as  it  does  more  than  one  half 
of  our  exports, [l]  it  has  greatly  accelerated  the  growth  and  flourishing  con- 
dition of  the  Plantation  States ; aided  to  build  up  the  prosperity  of  their  po- 
litical associates,  and  added  vastly  to  the  wealth  and  greatness  of  the  Union. [2] 
Nor  has  its  benefits  been  confined  to  the  North  American  republic.  The 
enlargement  of  our  cotton-husbandry,  by  arousing  the  energies  of  the  British 
artists,  created  many  of  those  extraordinary  media  deal  improvements, 
which  have  essentially  contributed  to  render  England  the  most  powerful 
nation  of  which  history  furnishes  an  example.  The  community  of  inter- 
ests existing  between  that  sea-girt  isle  and  our  highly  favored  land,  owes  its 
strength  and  maintenance  to  the  downv  fleece  of  a lung-neglected  shrub, 
which,  by'  the  unexampled  skill  and  ingenuity  of  the  one,  and  the  untiring 
industry  and  perseverance  of  the  other,  has  become  “the  wonder  of  agricul- 
ture in  the  United  States,  and  the  miracle  of  manufacture  in  Europe."’ 
Without  attempting  to  show  the  manifold  blessings  that  cotton  has  conferred 
on  the  political  and  social  condition  of  other  nations,  it  may  perhaps  be 
only  necessary  to  remark,  that  everywhere  society  feels  its  friendly  and  in- 
vigorating influence.  All  classes  and  occupations,  though  its  culture  and 
manufacture,  on  an  extended  theatre,  are  of  modern  date,  already  acknowl- 

before  the  American  Revolution — the  last  in  1779.  “Of  the  four  great  divisions  of  the 
globe,-’  remarks  Mr.  Baines,  “Europe  was  the  last  to  receive  the  cotton  manufacture,  and 
England  was  among  the  las!  to  engage  in  that  branch  of  industry.  So  immense  is  the  ex- 
tent of  the  British  cotton  manufacture  at  this  time,  (1835,)  that  the  yarn  spun  in  a year 
would,  in  a single  thread,  pass  round  the  globes  circumference  203,775  times;  it  would 
reach  51  times  from  the  earth  to  the  sun  ; and  it  would  encircle  the  earth’s  orbit  eight  and 
a half  times.  The  wrought  fabrics  of  cotton  exported  in  one  year  would  form  a girdle  for 
the  globe,  passing  eleven  times  round  the  Equator.” 

1 The  total  value  of  the  exports  ofthe  produce  of  the  United  States,  during  the  year,  end- 
ing on  the  30th  of  September,  1841,  was  $106,382,722.  Of  this,  cotton  furnished  $54,- 
330,341,  or  more  than  one  half.  South  Carolina,  as  her  share,  contributed  $8,011,392. 

2 It  is  generally  understood  that  the  manufacturers  are  realizing  20  per  cent,  on  their 
capital. 


154 


AGRICULTURAL 


edge,  that  the  “ vegetable  wool5’  is  among  the  greatest  gilts  of  God  to  his 
people. 

The  grand  revolution  which  has  increased  the  production  of  the  gossypium 
in  this  country  over  5,67G  times  in  half  a century,  has  been  brought  about  not 
by  governmental  patronage  and  the  influence  of  monopolies,  but  against 
the  unceasing  plunderings  of  the  one  at  the  resistless  and  unrelenting  fiat  of 
the  other.  The  history  indeed  of  no  pursuit  affords  so  extraordinary  a re- 
sult from  the  isolated  labours  ofits  followers,  and  under  circumstances  so  op- 
pressive and  discouraging,  as  that  of  the  cotton-grower  of  the  United  States. 
He  sows,  and  endures  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day,  but  others  riot  in  the 
harvest.  A juster  and  nobler  policy,  it  is  hoped,  will  ere  long  direct  the 
Federal  councils.  England  now  pays  to  America  thirty-five  millions  per 
annum  for  a single  product  of  our  fields.  To  keep  her  in  this  position  is  a 
task  of  easy  accomplishment,  if  commerce  be  free,  and  the  planter  be  re- 
leased from  the  shackles  of  pernicious  and  unwarrantable  enactments.  As 
an  exporter  of  the  main  crop  of  both  countries,  Texas  can  never  be  the  rival 
of  the  United  States,  unless  the  spirit  that  has  so  long  swayed  the  constituted 
authorities  of  the  latter  shall  unfortunately  continue  in  the  ascendant.  Un- 
der the  guidance  of  a patriotic  home  legislation,  and  international  interests, 
these  coterminous  communities  would  constitute  the  region,  which  might 
abundantly  supply  the  nations  of  the  globe  with  its  great  staple  commodity, 
and  at  a lower  rate  too  than  ever  was  done  by  the  labour  of  man. 


APPENDIX, 


Note  A. 


EXPORTS  OF  COTTON 


Grown 

in 

the  •planlatalion 

States  of 

North  A ; 

erica. 

Year. 

lbs. 

J Year. 

lbs. 

1784 

*1,200 

1814 

(War,) 

17,806,479 

1785  . 

, , 

*2,100 

1815  . 

# • 

82,098,747 

1786 

. *900 

1816 

• . 

81,747,116 

1737  . 

# • 

*16,350 

1817  . 

85,649,323 

1733 

. *53,350 

1818 

. . 

92,471,173 

1789  . 

. *126,300 

1819  . 

87,997,045 

1790 

. *12,150 

1820 

. 127,860,152 

1791  . 

. 189,316 

1821  . 

124,893,405 

1792 

. 133,32s 

1822 

. 144,675,095 

1793  . 

4S7,600 

1823  . 

173,723,270 

1794 

1,601,700 

1824 

. 142,369,663 

1795  . 

. 16,276,300 

1825  . 

176,439,907 

1796 

16,106  729 

1826 

. 204,535,415 

1797  . 

. 3,788,429 

1827  . 

294,310,115 

1793 

9,360,005 

1828 

. 210,590,463 

1799  . 

. 9,532,263 

1829  . 

264,847,186 

1800 

17,789,803 

1^30 

. 298,459,102 

1801  . 

. 20,911,201 

1831  . 

270,979,784 

1802 

27,501,075 

1832 

. 322.215,122 

1803  . 

. 41,105,623 

1833  • 

£397,780,020 

1804 

33,118,041 

1834 

. 413.928,240 

1805  . 

40,383  491 

1835  . 

449,039,250 

1806 

37,491,232 

1836 

. 469,566,900 

1807  . 

66,212,737 

1837  . 

594,494,010 

1803 

(Embargo,) 

12.064,366 

1838 

. 448,975,560 

1809 

U 

53,210,225 

1839  . 

718,685.550 

1810 

cc 

93,874,201 

1840 

. 539,53^850 

1811 

u 

62,186,031 

18  il  . 

555,579,420 

1812  > 
1813  \ 

(War, 

28,892,544 

19,399,911 

1842 

* 

. t~35,211,800 

*From  1784  to  1790,  inclusive,  the  number  of  bags  exported  (Note  B.)  was  respect- 
ively 8,  14,  6,  109,  389,  842,  81,  which  are  estimated  as  weighing  150  pounds  each 
ISome  foreign  cottons  included. 

tThe  bags  from  1833  to  1842,  inclusive,  are  estimated  to  weigh  330  pounds  each. 


156 


AGRICULTURAL 


Note  B. 

EARLY  IMPORTS  OF  AMERICAN  COTTON. 

[From  Gore’s  Liverpool  Advertiser.] 

“ By  referring  to  our  import  list  at  the  period  of  which  the  following  is  a 
copy,  we  find  the  first  arrival  of  cotton  wool,  the  produce  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  took  place  at  this  port,  '20th  January,  1785,  of  one  bag, 
per  Diana  from  Charleston,  to  John  and  Isaac  Teasdalc  & Co.  We  have 
had  this  confirmed  by  the  only  surviving  partner  of  that  firm,  William  Teas- 
dale  of  this  place,  whose  uncle  Isaac  went  from  Manchester  to  settle  at 
Charleston  to  promote  the  trade. 

An  account  of  the  import  of  the  first  cotton  brought  to  the  port  of  Liver- 
pool, the  growth  of  the  United  States  of  America,  1785.  Jan.  20th,  Diana 
from  Charleston,  to  J.  & I.  Teasdale  & Co.,  one  bag;  Feb.  17th,  Tonyn, 
New  York,  James  Kenyon,  one  bag;  July  21st,  Grange,  Philadelphia, 
W.  Ralhbone,  Jan.,  3 bags;  Nov.  17th,  Friendship,  Philadelphia,  J.  and  I. 
Teasdale  & Co.,  9 bags-  Total,  14  bags. 

1786.  May  14th,  Thomas  from  Charleston,  Peter  Marrow,  2 bags;  June 
21st,  Juno,  Charleston,  J.  & I Teasdale  & Co.,  4 bags. — Total,  6 bags. 

1737.  April  5th,  John  from  Philadelphia,  John  Tackson,  6 bags  ; June  7th, 
Irish  Volunteer,  Charleston,  James  Hargreaves,  one  bag  ; June  1 4th,  Wilson, 
New  York",  N.  P.  Ashfield,  9 bags  ; June  28th,  Grange  Philadelphia,  James 
Barrow,  6 bags;  James  App'eton,  2 bags;  Peel,  Yates  & Co.,  1 bag; 
Aug.  2d,  Henderson,  Charleston,  J.  & I.  Teasdale  & Co.,  40  bags;  Dec. 
13th,  John,  Philadelphia,  George  Goring,  37  bags;  Order,  7 bags.  Total, 
109  bags. 

1788.  January,  Mersey  from  Charleston,  Peter  Marrow,  1 bag:  Grange, 
Philadelphia,  George  Goring,  5 bags  ; Jan.  31st,  Sally,  New  York,  Rath- 
bone  & Benson,  4 bags  ; June  26th,  John,  New  York,  Samuel  Green,  30 
bags;  July  3d,  Harriott,  New  York,  Backhouse  & Lowe,  62  bags;  Dickson 
& Pemberton,  60  bags  ; N.  P.  Ashfield,  29  bags  ; Peel,  \ ates  & Co.,  4 
bags  ; Rathbone  & Co.,  3 bags  ; S.  Newall,  one  bag ; Order,  16  bags  : 
July  5th,  Grange,  Philadelphia  James  Ansdell,  63  bags;  Polly,  Charleston, 
George  Goring,  42  bags  ; J.  & 1.  Teasdale  & Co.,  26  bags  ; Nov.  20th, 
Clio,  Charleston,  J.  Douglass,  0 bags  ; William,  Baltimore,  Warbrick  & 
Holt,  31  bags.  Total,  389  bags 

1789.  Jan.  8th,  Grange,  Philadelphia,  W.  Wallace,  4 bags;  James 
Ansdell,  6 bags  ; Feb.  5th,  Manchester,  Charleston,  J.  Teasdale  & Co.,  7 
bags;  John  Wright,  1 bag:  Feb.  29th,  Aurora,  New  1 ork,  R.athbone  & 
Benson,  165  bags  ; Peel,  Yates  & Co.,  one  bag  ; Backhouse  & Low,  7 
bags;  Order,  158  bags:  May  21st,  Alexander,  Virginia,  Thomas  Moss,  4 
bigs  ; July  ‘2d,  Levant,  Philadelphia,  E.  & R.  Bent,  7 bags  ; John  Jackson, 
25  bags;  July  9th,  Grange,  Philadelphia,  John  Jackson,  17  bags  ; July 
23d,  Manchester,  Charleston,  J.  Coulburn,  6 bags  : Oct.  1st,  Lydia,  New- 
York,  James  Kenyon,  10  bags  ; Robert  Abbott,  10  bags;  J.  R.  Freme,  2 
bags  ; Dec  10th,  Springvale,  Maryland,  Kensing+on  & Co.,  71  bags  ; Rath- 
bone  & Co.,  30  bags;  Dec.  24th,  Grange,  Philadelphia,  Golightly  & Co., 
2 bags ; James  Ansdell,  25  bags;  S.  Brown,  4 bags;  Samuel  Grey  & Co., 
43  bags;  C.  Weatberhead,  94  bags;  J.  Jackson  43  bags;  J.  Mickleth- 
waite,  100  bags.  Total,  842  bags. 

1790.  Jan.  Lady  Pcnrhyn  from  Philadelphia,  E.  & R.  Bent,  58  bags  ; 
Feb.  4th,  Polly,  Charleston,  John  Teasdale  & Co.,  12  bags;  William 


PROCEEDINGS.  157 

Coulborne,  7 bags;  July  29th,  Mary,  Georgia,  Andrew  Aikin,  '3  bags;  Pol- 
]y,  Charleston,  John  Teasdale  & Co.,  2 bags.  Total,  SI  bags. 

It  will  thus  be  perceived,  that  the  total  import  ot' cotton  into  Liverpool 
during  the  six  years  from  1765  to  1790,  inclusive,  was  1441  bags.  Though 
the  above  statement  shows  a progressive  increase,  it  appears  that  the  demand 
was  neither  uniform  nor  extensive,  the  import,  in  1789,  having  exceeded  that 
of  the  following  year  731  bags.  From  this  period,  however,  the  trade,  es- 
pecially as  regards  Liverpool,  has  increased  with  astonishing  rapidity.  In 
the  year  1785,  the  import  amounted  to  no  more  than  14  bags,  and,  in  1789, 
which  is  the  largest  import  shown  in  the  above  statement,  it  was  812,'’ 


Jsote  C. 


PROPERTIES  OF  MARSH-MUD. 


When  dried. 

Water  of  absorpiion. 

[Organic  matter. 

Increase  in  weight  af- 
ter being  thoroughly 
[drenched  in  water. 

§ C 3 

£ i 

wc  :0 

‘>1o 

u-.2 
o ~ 

*-3 

p 9 c 
C J o 

a a-z 

Siliea. 

C3 

£ 

3 

Water  of  absorption 
and  organic  matter. 

Peroxide  of  iron  with 
Car- of  lime  and  phos- 
phate ol  lime. 

Carbonate  of  lime. 

6 

o 

o 

a 

~s, 

6 

-C 

Per  oxide  of  iron. 

- — 

T3  ® 
G 3 

ra  — 

5 d 
•-  o 

'11 

vj 

* 2 
o=. 

A 

lost- 

B 

C 

2.37 

2.66 

321. 

14.0  of  water 

92.57 

1.70 

5.03 

0,70 

D 

2.83 

3.83 

342. 

91.64 

1.70 

6,16 

0.50 

E 

2.66 

1.90 

305. 

94.00 

0.94 

4,5S 

0,50 

F 

1.66 

1.75 

293. 

11.0 

95.00 

0.79 

3.41 

0.80 

G 

2.83 

2.16 

325. 

93.00 

0.81 

4.99 

1.20 

H 

2.36 

2.41 

315. 

12.0 

93.23 

1.05 

4,77 

0.35 

I 

11.36 

8.33 

480. 

28.7 

K 

.14 

9.66 

605. 

39.0 

61 .75 

9.00 

23.66 

0.27 

.20 

5.80 

0,60 

Pure 

235. 

63 

Sand 

158 


AGRICULTURAL 


Note  D, 

“ To  an  iron  frame,  4 feet  breast  and  3 feet  high,  is  attached  in  front,  in  a 
horizontal  position,  a 2 inch  roller,  covered  with  (he  best  kind  of  s ffe-leather. 
grooved,  (say  1. 16th  of  *>n  inch  deep,)  diagonally — the  grooves  being  an  inch 
apart.  Pressing  lightly  against  this  roller,  from  the  centre  upwards,  and  con- 
fined to  its  place  by  small  steel  clamps,  is  a very  thin  steel  plate,  made  perfectly 
smooth  and  bcvilled  on  the  under  side,  which  comes  in  contact  with  the 
roller.  On  each  end  of  this  roller  is  a pulley,  connected  with  other  pullies 
by  bands.  The  cotton  is  placed  on  a feeding  board,  and  drawn  in  by  the  ac- 
tion of  the  roller  between  it  and  the  plate  the  entire  length  of  the  fibre,  (the 
seed  exposed  and  resting  against  the  plate.)  where  it  is  held  firmly.  In  the 
mean  time  a vibrator  (which  is  a plate  ot  iron,  2 indies  broad  with  square 
notches  in  the  upper  edge,  and  screwed  to  a piece  of  wood  to  support  it.) 
attached  to  3 upright  pieces  of  wood  an  inch  square,  which  are  attached  to 
each  end  of  an  iron  shaft,  (lj)  inches  in  diameter  and  placed  in  a horizontal 
position,)  by  means  of  sliding  cranks,  which  give  an  eccentric  motion,  and 
cause  it  (the  vibrator)  to  play  up  and  down  with  great  velocity,  just  clearing 
the  plate;  pushing  the  seeds  upwards;  clearing  the  cotton,  which,  thus  re- 
lieved, passes  on  (the  leather  or  ginning  roller  being  cleared  by  a smaller  one 
resting  on  it.  and  lying  just  behind  the  plate)  to  art  endless  apron,  8 inches 
broad,  which  is  made  to  revolve  on  2 rollers  of  Hi  inches  diameter,  and 
which  is  placed  in  close  proximity  to  the  ginning  roller.  The  cleaning  roller 
passes  the  cotton  under  another  roller  (1  inch  diameter)  to  the  apron, 
around  which  it  adheres,  and  by  this  process  the  fibre  is  straightened. 

“The  apron  is  cleared,  after  thirty  revolutions,  by  means  of  a cam,  which 
is  placed  over  the  apron,  near  the  back  part  of  the  gin  ; the  edge  of  this  cam 
is  made  to  come  r<  gularly  down  to  the  apron  by  a finger  attached  to  one  end 
of  it  : a racket  wheel  throws  this  finger  under  a segment  of  a circle,  attached 
to  the  pulley  which  drives  the  ginning  roller,  and  thus  holds  the  cam  to  the 
apron  during  one  revolution  ; the  edge  of  the  cam  is  then  brought  clear  of 
the  apron  by"  weights  and  the  cotton  falls  to  the  floor  in  a bat. 

“The  above  is  the  plan  of  the  gin  as  first  exhibited.  I have  since  simpli- 
fied  it  somewhat  by  taking  off  the  apron,  cam,  &c.,  and  substituted  4 rollers 
in  their  place — placing  them  immediately  back  of  the  ginning  and  clearing 
rollers,  through  which  the  cotton  passes  and  falls  in  flakes  on  the  floor.’1 — 
Extracts  of  a letter  from  H.  W.  Fargo,  of  Savannah,  Mr.  McCarthy's  agent 
for  Georgia,  to  the  writer.  The  price  of  a single  gin  is  §150. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


159 


Wole  E. 


Number  of  pounds  of  Sea- Island  Cotton  exported  from  the  United  Stale Ss 


Year. 

Its. 

Year. 

lbs. 

1805 

o • 

. 8,787,659 

1825  . 

. 9,655,278 

1806 

. t 

6,096,032 

1826 

. 5,972,852 

1807 

, * « 

. 8,926,011 

1327  . 

15,140,798 

1808 

(Embargo,) 

949,051 

1823 

11,238.419 

1809 

• « 

. 8,664,213 

1829  . 

. 12,833,307 

1310 

• • » 

8,604,078 

1830 

. 8,147,165 

1811 

• • • 

. 8,029,576 

1831  . 

. 8,311,762 

1812  ) 

• • 4 

4,367,806 

1832 

. 8,743,373 

1813  \ 

(War,)  . 

. 4,134,849 

1333  . 

11,142.957 

18 1 4 ) 

• • • 

2,520,383 

1834 

8,085,935 

1815 

. . c 

. 8,449,951 

1835  . 

. 7,752,736 

1316 

• O 0 

9,900,326 

1S36 

8,544,419 

1817 

« 

. 8,101,680 

1837  . 

. . 5,286,971 

1318 

• • • 

*6,035.700 

1838 

7,286,340 

1319 

, t , 

*11,015,070 

1839  . 

. . 5,107,404 

1820 

• • • 

*1 1,718,300 

1840 

. 8,779,669 

1821 

• . • 

11,344,066 

IS41  .' 

. *6,752,130 

1322 

. • 0 

11,250,635 

1842 

*5,010,030 

1823 

• « • 

12,136,688 

1824 

r • 

9,525,722 

Wole  F. 

The  recognized  distinctions  of  Cotton  on  the  Continent  of  Europe  ore  as 
follows  : 1.  The  North  Ameircan  ; 2.  The  West  Indian  ; 3.  The  South 
American;  4.  The  East  Indian;  5 The  Levantine  ; 6.  The  African;  7. 
The  Spanish: 

The  relative  value  of  the  above  Cottons  is  as  follows  : 

Sea  Island, 

Bourbon, 

Egyptian, 

Maragnan,  Bahia,  and  Pernambuco. 

Motril,  from  the  Kingdom  of  Grenada. 

Cayenne,  Surinam,  Demerara,  and  Berbice- 
Superior  West  Indian, 

New  Orleans, 

Upland  ^Carolina, 

Georgia, 

Tennessee, 

Inferior  West  Indian. 

Levant — European  and  Asiatic  Turkey. 

Italian, 

Madras, 

Surat, 

Bengal, 

* The  bags  estimated  to  Weigh  330  pounds  each. 


Table 


160 


AGRICULTURAL 


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PROCEEDINGS 


163 


Tsabic  If. 


Account  of 

the 

Imports 

of  Cotton  Wool  into  Great 

Britain,  from  1781 

to  1843,  inclusive. 

Year. 

lbs.  ( Year. 

lbs. 

1781 

,m 

5,193,778;  1813 

51,000,000 

1782  . 

11,823,039  1814 

60,100,000 

1783 

9,73\663  ' 1815 

. 99,300,000 

17-4  . 

# 

11,482.083  , 1816 

93,900,000 

1785 

, 

18,400,384;  1817 

124,900,000 

178(5 

# 

19,475,020  1818 

. 177.300,000 

1787 

23,250,268  \ 1819 

149,700,000 

1783  . 

20,467,436  \ 1820 

143,900,000 

1739 

32,576,023:  1821 

129,000,000 

1790 

31,447,605  1822 

. 142,200,000 

1791 

28,706,675  1823  . 

188,100,000 

1792 

34,907,497  1824 

. 143,700,000 

1793 

19,040,929  \ 1825 

222,400,000 

1794 

24,358.567!  1826 

171,500,000 

1795 

26,401,340:  1827 

271,100,000 

1796 

32,126,357  1628 

. 219,800,000 

1797 

23,354,371  1-29 

221,800,000 

1793 

31,880,641  j.  1830 

. 261,200,000 

1799  . 

43,379.278  1831 

280,500,000 

1800 

56,010,732  1832 

. 287,800,000 

1801 

56,004.305'  1833  . 

304,200,000 

1802 

60,345.600’  1834 

. 320,600,000 

1803 

53,812.28  4 j 1835  . 

361,700,000 

1804 

61,867,329;  1836 

. 410,800,000 

1805  ' . 

59,662,400  1837 

408,200,000 

1-06 

58,176,283  1838 

. 501,000,000 

1807  , 

74,925,306  1 1839  . 

388,600,000 

1*03 

43,605,982  | 1840 

. 583,400,000 

1809 

92,812,282  j 1841 

489,900,000 

1810 

132.488,935  ! 1342 

. 528,500,000 

1811 

0 

91,576,535  j 1843  . 

667,00.0,000 

1312 

63,000,000  ! 

Talkie  Ul.-Stotemcnt  of  the  Imports  of  Cotton  Wool  into  (Went  Britain  from  180C  to  1843.  Motive. 


164 


AGRICULTURAL 


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PROCEEDINGS, 


165 


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PROCEEDINGS. 


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168 


AGRICULTURAL 


Table  IV. 

East  India  Colton  imported  into  Europe  from  1832  to  1812  inclusive. 


1 'ear. 

bales. 

Year. 

bales. 

1832 

• 

149,285 

1838 

. 111.314 

1833 

. 

. 100,878 

1839  . 

. 137,581 

1834  . 

• 

93,321 

1840 

. 226,000 

1835 

• 

. 119,591 

1841  . 

271,000 

1836  . 

. . 

220,067 

1842 

. 264,000 

1 837 

. 

. 142,326 

1843  . 

• ....... 

South  American  Cotton  imported  into  Europe  from  1832  to  1842  inclusive. 


Year. 

bales. 

Year. 

biles. 

1832 

• 

. 137,061 

1838 

# 

. 155,664 

1833  . 

194,859 

1 839  . 

. 

. # 

126,056 

1834 

• 

. 128.289 

1840 

, # 

, 

. 90,000 

1835  . 

• • 

179,043 

1841  . 

# 

99.000 

1836 

. . 

. 185,154 

1842 

, , 

. 103,000 

1837  . 

* 

138,697 

1843  . 

. 

*•••••• 

Egyptian 

Cotton  imported  into  Europe  from 

1832  to 

1 842, 

inclusive. 

Year. 

bales. 

Year. 

bales. 

1832 

. . 

. 160,465 

1838  . 

, 

. 

162,242 

1833  . 

• . 

110,976 

1839 

, , 

. 117,176 

1S34 

• ® 

. 70,068 

1840  . 

# 

96,000 

1835  . 

• 

140,956 

1841 

. , 

. 

. 123.000 

1836 

• • 

. 180,301 

1842  . 

108,000 

1837  . 

• # 

158,400  ( 1843 

# 

• •••••• 

West  India  Cotton  imported  in  Europe  from 

1832  to 

1842, 

inclusive. 

Year. 

bales 

Year. 

bales 

1832 

. . 

. 29,348 

1838  . 

. 

. , 

63,920 

1833  . 

o • 

37,762 

1839 

. , 

. 

. 90,577 

1834 

• • 

. 39,945 

1840  . 

, 

, 

61,000 

1835  . 

* 

59,297 

1841 

. 

. 

. 75.000 

1836 

• • 

. 87,450 

1842  . 

, 

. . 

70,000 

1837  . 

• 

79,874 

1843 

• 



Imports  of  Cotton 

into  France  from  1822 

to  1843, 

both  inclusive. 

Year. 

bales. 

Year. 

bales. 

1822  . 

205,861 

1833 

• 

• 

. 305,633 

1823 

. • 

. 169,845 

1834  . 

• 

. • 

274,307 

1824  . 

, 

251,074 

1335 

. . 

• 

. 324,425 

1825 

. . 

. 204,572 

1836  . 

• 

• . 

199.823 

1826  . 

, 

. 320,174 

1837 

. « 

. 

. 343,963 

1827 

• • 

. 290  617 

1838  . 

• 

• • 

390,978 

1828  . 

. 206,132 

1839 

• . 

• 

. 342,100 

1829 

• • 

. 242.230 

1840  . 

• 

« ♦ 

466,318 

1830  . 

• 

282,752 

1841 

• • 

. 

. 458,851 

1831 

, , 

. 218.393 

1842  . 

, 

, % 

442,470 

1832  . 

« 

. 269  159  I 

1843 

. 

. 399,165 

ESSAY  ON  MALARIA. 


IS  V § . II.  DICKSON.  M . D . 

READ  BEFORE  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA.  K 0 V . 

<u<.  j>.  y* 


The  beautiful  and  fertile  low  country  of  our  State  is  the  seat  of  annual  and 
endemic  visitations  of  disease,  which  we  are  accustomed  to  attribute  to 
Malaria.  Whatever  may  be  the  difference  of  opinion  elsewhere  as  to  the 
source  of  origin  of  the  aerial  poison,  the  Medical  Pi ofession  here  is  unani- 
mous in  regarding  it  as  the  result  of  vegetable  decomposition  in  moist  places 
and  at  a high  temperature.  The  questions  which  may  be  urged  however  as 
to  its  nature,  qualities  and  mode  of  action,  arc  not  yet  absolutely  settled. 
Upon  their  decision,  whenever  they  shall  be  satisfactorily  answered,  will  be 
built  up  rational  habits  of  life,  customs  and  manners,  adapted  to  our  circum- 
stances, and  practical  efforts  to  lessen  its  influence  and  diminish  o>-  counteract 
its  effects. 

To  the  Southern  Agriculturist  these  are  topics  of  the  gravest  interest. 
In  the  low  country  there  are  few  plantations  which  admit  of  permanent  resi. 
dence ; the  whole  region  being  pervaded  by  a pestilential  infection,  almost 
unfailing  in  the  excitement  of  Fevers,  Intermittent  and  Remittent,  during  the 
Summer  and  Autumn — followed  by  Dysenteries  and  Diarrhoeas — Hepatic 
Affections  and  Dropsies  of  every  variety.  Even  in  the  middle  country  the 
risk  is  so  great  in  many  localities,  and  especially  on  the  best  lands,  that 
scarcely  any  hope  of  return  or  actual  profit  to  accrue  from  personal  atten- 
tion to  his  affairs,  can  indemnify  him  for  the  loss  of  health  and  comfort,  and 
the  decimation  of  his  family  by  disease.  Nay,  in  the  immediate  neighbor, 
hood  of  the  mountains  and  at  their  very  foot,  the  rich  intervals  which  line  the 
water-courses,  and  most  fully  repay  the  farmer  of  the  upper  Districts,  are 
often  afflicted,  and  in  fatal  violence,  too,  with  the  same  or  similar  Endemics 
and  Epidemics. 

If  he  is  the  most  useful  member  of  a community  “ who  has  caused  two 
blades  of  grass  to  grow  where  one  grew  before,”  surely  he  who  shall  suc- 
ceed in  diminishing  the  annual  waste  of  life,  and  the  immense  and  incalcula- 
ble amount  of  annual  suffering  from  the  source  above  indicated,  will  at  least 


AGRICULTURAL 


170 

deserve  the  Civic  crown  “ of  oak  leaves”  which  the  Romans  placed  upon  the 
head  of  him,  who  had  in  battle  saved  the  life  of  a fellow  citizen. 

I have  spoken  of  the  influence  of  Malaria  upon  the  health  of  the  Planter 
and  his  household ; this  is  not  all.  The  white  man,  it  is  true,  suffers  most 
obviously,  most  certainly  and  most  intensely,  but  the  inferior  race  from  which 
we  draw  the  mass  of  our  labourers  ai}d  probably  even  the  lower  animals 
when  domesticated,  are  more  or  less  directly  or  indirectly  injured  and  deterio- 
rated in  this  bad  air.  The  negro,  in  his  native  savageism,  bids  absolute  defi- 
ance, we  are  told,  to  Malaria  ; and  so  doubtless  do  the  forest  tribes  : but  the 
changes  which  the  latter  undergo  by  long  domestication,  and  the  establishment 
of  artificial  habits,  such  as  constitute  essential  portions  of  every  grade  of 
civilization,  in  the  former,  induce  new  susceptibilities  of  the  system,  and 
extend  widely  th  list  of  maladies  to  which  they  become  liable.  It  is  well 
known  that  a negro  born  and  bred  in  the  city,  or  even  one  brought  up  in  the 
country  and  accustomed  to  house-work  only,  is  specially  liable  to  fever,  if  put 
to  labour  in  the  field,  and  it  soems  reasonable  to  suppose,  that  as  we  can  by 
one  definite  course  increase,  we  may  by  another  diminish  tiie  acceptability  of 
tnose  exposed  to  the  poisonous  agencies  of  which  we  are  speaking. 

Tiie  three  contingencies  which  concur  to  the  developement  of  Malarious 
diseases  are  float,  Moisture  and  Vegetable  Decay.  In  reference  to  the  first 
of  these  elements  it  is  curious  to  observe  that  the  mean  temperature  of  our 
climate  has  become  lower  than  formerly*.  The  frosts  of  Winter  extend  far- 
ther into  the  Spring;  the  extreme  cold  of  our  Winters  is  greater,  and  the 
extreme  heat  of  our  Summers  less,  if  we  compare  periods  of  five  or  ten  years 
in  the  present,  with  similar  periods  in  the  last  century.  The  Orange  is 
entirely  lost  to  us,  with  its  beautiful  and  fragrant  blossom  and  its  delightful 
fruit,  and  the  Fig  is  far  less  abundant  and  less  certain  in  its  luscious  tribute. 
Now,  as  neither  the  duration  nor  the  violence  of  our  Malaria  diseases  is  nota- 
bly les  sened — the  contrary  indeed  being  often  asserted  and  apparently  sup- 
ported  by'  at  least  plausible  allegations  of  melancholy  facts — it  seems,  there- 
fore, fairly  inferable,  that  the  other  elements  must  have  been  augmented  in 
amount  or  been  tendered  more  active.  It  is  clear  also,  that  it  is  to  these 
latter  that  we  are  to  direct  our  attention,  in  the  hope  ef  ameliorating  the 
condition  of  our  climate.  Its  temperature  is  beyond  our  controul ; but  we  can 
always  get  rid  of  some  portion  of  our  stagnant  and  superfluous  moisture,  aud 
place  limits  to  the  quantity  of  vegetable  matters  in  the  State,  known  to  be 
favourable  to  the  proceses  of  decomposition. 

By  a perfect  system  of  drainage,  we  might,  in  any  region  of  country, 
hinder  all  accumulation  of  moisture  there,  but  as  this  complete  success  is 
nowhere  perhaps  within  reach  of  our  resources,  the  absolute  accomplismcnt 
of  our  purpose,  is  not  to  be  hoped  for,  and  we  must  aim  at  the  nearest  approxt- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


171 

mation  feasible.  I doubt  not  that  the  best  system  ot  drainage  for  the  Agri- 
cultural interest  of  the  planter  would  also — with  exceptions  easily  pointed 
out,  be  found  the  best  for  the  health  of  his  people.  The  cultivation  of  Rice, 
of  Indigo,  and  of  Flax  perhaps,  will  always  be  tound  incompatible  with  the 
salubrity  of  the  country  engaged  in  it,  for  obvious  teasons.  Rut  in  regard  to 
all  other  culture,  irrigation  by  running,  waiter  is  the  best  mode  of  applying 
mois’ure  for  the  luxuriant  growth  of  | hints — and  running  waters  are  as  inno- 
cent as  refreshing. 

The  improvident  clearing,  imperfect  cultivation,  and  neglected  diainageof 
land,  have  been  the  curse  of  our  middle  and  lower  districts.  If  no  tract  was 
cleared  unless  destined  tube  well  tilled  and  drained,  there  would  be  infinitely 
less  vegetable  matter  exposed  to  the  heat  of  our  summer  sun  to  undergo  the 
process  of  rapid  decay.  If  the  wild  ar.d  thick  growth  of  our  inland  swamps 
were  undisturbed  by  the  axe,  the  waiters  stagnant  there  would  not  be  liable  to 
the  prompt  and  partial  drying  up,  which  exposes,  as  in  our  poisonous  mill- 
ponds, such  varying  quantities  of  rotting  mould  and  green  mud  and  slime,  to 
the  sky  and  a;r.  The  rule  should  be  to  leave  all  low  spots  which  cannot  be 
perfectly  drained  and  brought  under  permanent  tillage,  in  their  natural  state, 
as  to  w'ood  and  foliage,  both  trees  and  undergrowth.  Besides  the  injurious 
exposure,  it  is  now  generally  agreed  that  there  is  a farther  evil  attendant 
upon  the  laying  bare  such  spots.  Some  benefit  arises  probably  from  the 
action  of  every  living  vegetable  upon  vitiated  air.  We  are  not  able  definitely 
to  indicate  the  mode  of  this  beneficial  influence,  but  it  seems  to  vary  in 
degree,  at  least,  if  not  somewhat  in  kind  also  with  the  specific  nature  of  the 
several  trees,  shrubs,  or  plants.  Every  bidy  associates  with  the  presence  of 
the  pine,  tor  example,  some  undefined  lint  quite  confident  expectation  of 
fuvorab  e influence.  There  are  facts  which  go  to  show  that  something  anal- 
ogous may  be  affirmed  also  of  the  hickory,  and  perhaps  of  the  walnut.  Dr. 
Car.wrigh  , of  Natches,  contends  strenuously'  for  the  antidotal  or  purifying 
properties  of  the  Jessienia  Grandiflora,  which,  as  he  maintains,  counteracts 
absolutely  the  miasmatic  exhalations  of  the  South-western  bayous,  and  renders 
them  perfectly  healthful  residences,  free  from  our  fevers,  &c.  If  his  facts 
are  correctly  stated,  the  plant  should  be  brought  hither,  and  made,  if  possible, 
to  grow  in  all  our  swamps  an!  rice  reserves  and  mill-ponds. 

A careful  inquiry  into  the  matter,  may,  perhaps,  result  in  the  detection  of 
;m  opposite  quality  in  certain  plants,  rendering  them  specially  dcleteiious, 
and  making  it  the  peculiar  duty  and  interest  of  the  planter  to  extirpate  them. 
This  has  been  suggested  as  to  several  of  the  succulent  shrubs  growing  in  our 
low  grounds,  and  as  to  the  dog  fennel,  found  so  abundant  in  many  old  fields 
and  other  waste  places. 

These  remarks  refer  to  the  purpose  of  diminishing,  by  every  reasonable 


172 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  feasible  effort,  the  production  of  the  atmospheric  poison,  to  which  we 
attrioutc  the  Endemic  Fevers,  Dysenteries,  dropsies,  &c.  of  our  climate.  Ii 
behoves  us,  in  the  next  place,  to  consider  how  we  shall  best  prevent  or  dimin- 
ish its  injurious  influences  upon  ourselves  and  upon  our  slaves,  when  exposed 
to  its  action  either  transiently  or  permanently.  The  contingencies  which 
foster  and  aid  the  development  of  its  specific  effects,  are  some  of  thcrfi  suffi- 
ciently weli  known.  The  location  of  the  dwelling  house  and  that  of  the 
negro  quarter,”  are  important  to  be  attended  to.  Good  and  pure  water 
should  be  diligently  sought  for;  fatigue,  imperfect  nutrition,  and  defective  or 
unsuited  clothing  are  obviously  injurious.  I have  known  the  Dealt h of  the 
people  on  a plantation  promptly  improved  by  a small  addition  to  t[ie  propor- 
tion of  animal  food  allowed  them.  I would  be  disposed  to  make  such  an 
addition  regularly,  at  the  approach  of  autumn  and  throughout  the  severe  cold 
of  mid-winter.  Taking  for  granted  (what  may  admit  however  of  some  ques- 
tion) the  enjoyment  of  better  health  by  the  populace  of  ancient  than  that  of 
modern  Rome.  Broechi  accounts  for  it  by  the  universal  use  of  woolen  gar- 
ments—for  which  we  now  substitute  the  less  perfect  protection  of  linen,  &c.  ; 
and  more  than  one  phisician  of  my  acquaintance  declares  it  best  in  our  low 
country  to  retain  our  winter  woolens  throughout  the  year.  One  point  is  estab- 
lished beyond  controversy.  Whatever  tends  to  keep  the  animal  consitution  at 
i s highest  tone  and  vigor,  is  the  be-t  means  of  preserving  it  from  attacks  of 
disease.  The  converse  must  be  equally  true ; and  the  wise  and  provident 
planter  will  avoid  on  the  one  hand  a false  and  delusive  economy,  which  would 
lead  him  to  narrow  in  any  way  the  comfortable  living  upon  which  athletic 
and  elastic  health  is  built  up  ; and  on  the  other,  will  abstain  from  overtasking 
his  force  by  engaging  in  enterprize  to  which  their  number  is  inadequate. 
The  result  in  either  case  will  be  injurious,  both  to  the  individuals  and  to  the 
prospect  of  gradual  and  ultimate  increase,  the  ratio  of  which  will,  in  almost 
every  instance,  furnish  a correct  measure  ot  the  well  being  and  careful  man- 
agement of  the  laboring  class. 

Finally — cn  all  plantations  of  any  extent,  I would  recommend  the  erection 
of  a Hospital,  large  enough  to  hold  conveniently  all  the  sick.  Here  should 
he  brought  together,  under  the  superintendence  of  a proper  nurse,  all  the 
invalids  of  the  place,  whose  wants  may,  in  this  way,  be  hest  supplied,  and 
their  chances  of  quick  and  perfect  recovery  very  much  nereased.  It  is  thus 
made  more  easy  too  to  separate  the  cheat,  the  maligner,  from  the  really 
sick,  than  when  they  are  allowed  the  seclusion  of  their  own  houses.  To  this 
Hospital,  every  negro,  who,  at  the  usual  morning  summons,  feels  ill  or  unfit 
for  his  work,  should  be  required  to  repair  at  once  and  report  himself.  Kind- 
ness, and  the  necessities  of  the  case,  will  soon  reconcile  a true  sufferer  to  this 
transient  separation  from  his  immediate  family,  while  the  mere  idler  would 


PROCEEDINGS.  173 

sOoa  become  Weary  of  the  supervision,  and  disgusted  with  the  discipline  of 
the  building. 

In  the  above  remarks,  it  iias  not  been  my  object — as  indeed  it  is  not  within 
my  reach — -to  offer  any  thing  original  or  new  ; but  simply  to  present  in  a con- 
densed form,  as  I had  been  desired  to  do,  some  of  the  most  familiar  rules 
deducible  from  observation  and  experience,  for  the  preservation  of  the  health 
of  the  Agricultural  population  of  the  South. 


* 


' 


' 


. 

X 

■ 

ANNIVERSARY  ORATION, 


CP  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA  J 

BY  GEY.  JAJSES  II.  KAJOIOXD : 

Read  bejore  the  Society,  on  the  25 t'l  November,  1841. 


A writeron  Agriculture  remarks  that,  some  two  and  a half  centuries  ago, 
the  Flemings,  then  considered  the  best  farmers  in  Europe,  were  much  more 
remarkable  for  the  practice  of  husbandry  than  for  writing  books  on  the 
subject : and  in  another  part  of  his  essay,  after  bestowing  great  commcndn* 
tionon  one  Gabriel  Plattes  as  an  original  genius  and  very  meritorious  agri- 
cultural author  of  the  same  period,  adds  that  the  public  ungratefully  per- 
milted  him  to  starve  in  the  streets  of  London.  We  have,  in  these  two  in- 
stances, the  example  and  the  warning  which  might  be  supposed  to  have  fixed 
the  conduct  and  opinions  of  most  persons  engaged  in  this  pursuit  in  our  re- 
gion. Those,  who  are  here  regarded  as  the  best  husbandmen,  rarely  put 
their  pens  to  paper,  and  do  not  often  take  the  trouble  to  read  what  others 
write  : while  a “ book  planter”  is  by  some  fatality  or  other  almost  always 
unsuccessful.  The  truth  is,  that  men  of  letters  who  embark  in  agriculture, 
besides  being  for  the  most  part  deficient  in  perseverance,  have  usually  too 
many  theories  not  to  meet  with  an  immense  proportion  of  failures  ; while  men 
of  action,  however  maturely  they  reflect,  have  seldom  time  or  inclination  to 
perform  the  mechanical  labor  of  reducing  their  thoughts  to  writing.  And  a 
good  planter  is  eminently  a man  of  action.  In  fact,  at  the  bottom  of  all  suc- 
cess in  planting,  lies  energy.  Without  this,  no  degree  of  knowledge^-no 
skill — no  capital — no  fertility  of  soil — no  bcnificent  dispensation  of  the  seasons 
— can  ensure  it.  Yet,  situated  as  our  planters  are  ; exercising,  for  the 
most  part,  but  a general  superintendance  over  their  planting  operations,  I 
am  far  from  thinking  that  they  may  not,  without  any  undue  neglect  of  their 
practical  duties,  find  leisure  to  contribute  largely  and  usefully  to  agricultural 
literature.  It  is,  indeed,  a matter  for  wonder  rather,  that  well  educated,  as 
so  many  of  them  are,  and  cultivating,  as  we  do,  such  invaluable  staples,  no 
planter  has  yet  published  a complete  and  standard  treatise  on  any  one  of 


i:o 


AGRICULTURAL 


them  : and  that  all  the  information  which  the  books  contain  is  evidently  giVeti 
tit  second  hand,  and  replete  with  errors.  Such  treatises,  from  the  hands  of 
‘hose  fully  qualified  -by  general  infnl-mation  and  thorough  experience  in  plant- 
inn,  would  be  of  inestimable  value.  And  one  of  the  chief  advantages  I an- 
ticipate from  Societies  like  the  one  whose  anniversary  we  now  commemorate, 
is  that  they  may  stimulate  some  one  to  the  task.  Similar  Societies  in  other 
par's  of  the  world  have,  within  the  la.st  half  century  or  so,  given  birth  to 
Voluminous  and  immensely  Useful' agricultural  writings.  To  us,  however, 
these  have  been  heretofore,  in  the  main,  of  little  advantage.  They  are  arT 
dressed  to  those  who  farm  or  graze  ; and  there  are  scaicely  any  occupa. 
lions  more  dissimilar  than  these  and  staple  plantingi  It  is  probably  owing 
to  this  fact  that  many  of  our  most  judicious  planters  hold  works  on  agricui- 
lure  in  such  contempt ; and  because  no  one  has  written  on  the  art  of  planting', 
properly  so  called,  have  hastily  concluded  that  book  learning  is  not  for  them. 
I trust,  however,  that  the  societies  now  ao  rapidly  springing  up  in  our  State, 
will  turn  attention  more  seriously  to  the  subject ; and  that  the  vast  amount  of 
information  in  regard  to  our  staples  which  lies  scattered  throughout  the  im- 
mense region  that  produces  them,  will,  ere  long,  be  collected  together,  ar- 
ranged, digested,  and  placed  in  some  tangible  form  within  the  reach  of 
every  one. 

To  us,  however,  in  South  Carolina,  such  works,  so  far  as  one  of  our  sta- 
ples— and  the  most  important— =i>  concerned,  will  soon,  f apprehend,  be 
more  curious  than  really  Valuable.  For  the  period  is  probably  close  at 
hand  when  we  shall  be  compelled  to  abandon  its  culture,  if  not  altogether.- 
at  least  in  n great  measure.  This  is  a matter  of  the  deepest  concern  to  us 
in  every  point  of  view.  And  as  there  is  no  question,  at  the  present  moment, 
so  full  of  interest  to  the  Agricultural  community,  and  pregnant  with  such  im- 
portant consequences  to  every  portion  df  society,  it  is  to  this  that  I propose 
chiefly  to  call  your  attention  now. 

The  extraordinary  progress  of  the  growth  of  cotton  has,  it  is  well  known, 
occasioned  a series  of  calculations,  at  Various  periods,  from  the  time  of  the 
invention  of  the  sa\V-gin,  to  prove  that  it  must  soon  shoot  far  ahead  of  the 
consumption,  and  that  competition  would  in  u short  time  cmfine  its  culture  to 
a few  favored  spots.  Conti  ary,  however,  to  all  reasonable  expectation, 
cohsumption  has  advanced  with  the  same  wonderful  pace  as  production;  and 
relying  on  the  frequent  failure  of  past  predictions,  many  are  even  vet  san- 
guine  that  it  Will  fcontihue  to  do  so  for  a long  period  to  come.  I very  much 
fear  that  they  are  at  least  mistaken— that  what  has  been  prophecy  for  such  a 
time,  is  shortly  to  be  fact ; and  that  the  present  depression  of  the  cotton 
market  is  neither  accidental  nor  temporary,  but  the  result  of  natural  causes, 
and  likely  to  be  permanent. 


PROCEEDIN' IS. 


177 


The  rapid  increase  of  consumption  has  been  owing  to  causes  which  can 
be  explained,  and  to  which  limits  maybe  assigned.  A spirit  of  improve- 
ment in  machinery  for  manufacturing  it  had  sprung  up  in  England,  some 
twenty  years  before  cotton  began  to  be  cultivated  in  this  country.  The 
Hand-Frame,  Cylinder  Cards,  Woof  and  Warp  machine,  Spinning  Jenny, 
and  Power  Loom,  followed  each  oilier  in  quick  succession,  and  Whitt  soor* 
taught  the  whole  to  move  by  steam.  The  quality  of  goods  was  inconse- 
quence very  much  improved,  and  prices  also  reduced,  so  as  to  recommend 
them  at  once  to  all  classes  of  consumers.  The  raw  material  then  furnished, 
as  might  be  supposed,  fell  far  short  of  the  augmented  demand,  and  production 
was  in  turn  vastly  stimulated.  The  supply  increased  ft  om  America  with 
great  rapidity  after  Whitney’s  gin  came  into  general  use,  but  new  inven- 
tions in  machinery  continued,  and  as  even  the  home  market  had  not  yetbeen- 
overflowed,  the  demand  still  kept  ahead  of  it,  until  the  general  pacification  of 
Europe  and  the  world,  opened  fresh  markets  to*  this  new  style  of  goods,, 
which  could  never  apparently  be  stocked.  Peace,  alsoT  made  money  abun- 
dant. New  and  immense  investments  were  made  in  manufactories,  and 
cotton  mills  arose  all  over  England.  It  was  of  no- small  consequence  to  the 
result  that  England  was  the  seat  of  this  great  manufacturing  revolution. 
Her  incalculable  wealth,  her  great  naval  superiority,  and  her  vast  territori- 
al possessions  scattered  over  every  quarter  of  the  globe,  gave  her  the  com- 
mand  of  a commerce  unknown  before  in  the  annals  of  the  world.  And’ 
during  a period  of  profound  peace,  longer  than  mankind  have  enjoyed  since 
tire  death  of  the  elder  Antonine — and  happily  not  yet  terminated — this  sreat 
nation  has  devoted  herself  to  almost  the  sole  purpose  of  opening  new  mar- 
kets and  filling  them  with  cotton  goods.  To  all  these  circumstances  is 
owing  the  rapid  stride  of  consumption,  which  has  thus  far  out-stripped  all  cal- 
culation. But  these  causes  have  run  their  cycle;  their  utmost  effects  have 
been  fully  felt ; all  the  markets  now  accessible  to  cotton  manufactures  are 
kept,  not  only  stocked  but  glutted  ; and  although  peace  should  continue  ; 
and  improvements  in  machinery  go  on  ; and  the  power  of  England  still  re- 
main unbroken,  none  of  which,  to  say  the  least,  are  certain,  it  is  impossible 
for  consumption  to  increase  in  any  thing  like  the  ratio  it  has  hitherto  done. 

That  it  will  increase  to  some  extent  in  every  given  series  of  years,  is  per- 
haps certain.  I believe  that  cotton  goods  must  undoubtedly  drive  linen  from 
the  almost  entire  monopoly  which  it  yet  enjoys  in  the  domestic  uses  of  the 
continent ; that  they  have,  sooner  or  later,  to  clothe  the  naked  barbarians 
of  Africa,  as  well  as  the  silk-robed  myriads  of  the  Chinese  empire  : to  ascend 
the  Euphrates  ; to  break  more  effectually  through  the  barriers  of  the  Bos- 
phorus, and  penetrate  to  all  the  nations  of  the  Black  Sea,  the  Volga  and  the 
Obe  : while  every  birth  in  a large  portion  of  the  old  world,  and  in  the 
12 


173 


AGRICULTURAL 


remotest  civilized  corner  of  the  new,  creates  a fresh  demand.  But  all  this 
most  be  the  work  of  time.  Popular  prejudices  must  be  broken  down  ; 
the  policy  and  the  agriculture  of  nations  now  devoted  to  growing  rival  com. 
modifies  must  be  revolutionized,  and  manufactures  must  spring  up  and  gain 
the  ascendancy  where  poverty  and  ignorance  and  despotism  now  flourish_ 
Years,  perhaps  centuries,  must  elapse  before  all  this  can  be  accomplished  ; 
and  peace  and  commerce  must,  for  all  the  time,  hold  the  world  subject  to 
their  benignant  influence. 

It  might  be  thought  that  the  great  increase  in  the  sales  of  of  raw  cotton 
during  the  last  year  (1840)  argues  an  equal  increase  of  consumption.  But  it 
must  be  remembered  that  the  sales  of  the  year  1838  were  nearly  equal  to 
those  of  the  last : that  this  year  they  have  again  fallen  off  to  a fearful  degree, 
receding  to  a point  below  those  of  1839,  and  not  much  in  advance  of  those  of 
1837,  and  that  in  spite  of  the  greatest  falling  off  in  the  crop  ever  known  in 
one  year,  there  has  been  an  actual  increase  of  the  surplus  on  hand  in  Liver- 
pool and  Havre.  The  large  sales  of  the  last  ytar  were  in  fact  owing  to  the 
-great  fall  of  prices,  and  the  i educed  sales  of  this  year,  to  the  trifling  increase 
of  them  in  the  early  part  of  the  season,  thus  shewing  that  in  the  present 
state  of  the  markets,  the  smallest  advance  instantL  checks  consumption, 
which  would  not  be  the  case,  if  the  supply  had  not,  to  say  the  least,  fully 
reached  the  limits  of  the  immediate  demand.  The  disastrous  condition  of 
the  manufacturers  during  the  present  year,  proves  also,  that  the  purchases  of 
the  last,  even  by  the  trade,  were  speculative,  and  did  not  indicate  the  true 
ratio  of  consumption.  Indeed  it  is  now  generally  conceded,  that  ever  since 
1S34,  notwithstanding  the  great  appearance  of  manufacturing  prosperity, 
more  goods  have  been  turned  off  than  were  required  for  consumption,  and 
have  accumulated  all  over  the  world,  to  an  extent  not  so  easily  perceived,  but 
not  less  fatal  in  effect  than  the  accumulation  of  the  raw  material  in  tiro 
great  markets  of  England  and  France. 

But  while  consumption  is  thus  fluctuating— -giving  the  clearest  evidences 
that  it  has  approached  a point  beyond  which  it  cannot  advance,  except  with 
the  slow  march  of  time  and  the  mighty  changes  to  which  I have  alluded, 
production  is  not  only  going  forward  with  gigantic  step,  but  yearly  developing 
a capacity  which  proves  that  it  has  yet  scarcely  passed  its  infancy,  and  has 
been  creeping  lazily  along,  compared  with  what  it  can  do.  If  we  are  to  be- 
lieve  the  English,  the  experiment  of  growing  improved  cotton  in  their  In- 
dian  possessions,  under  the  direction  of  Americans — from  our  seed, and  pre- 
pared with  our  gins,  is  likely  to  succeed.  Already  has  some  of  the  new 
made  cotton  been  sold  in  Liverpool  at  a price  higher  than  that  of  our  best 
New  Orleans  brands.  I do  not,  however,  feel  very  deep  apprehensions  from 
■this  quarter.  The  sample  sent  was  probably  most  of  it  from  the  little  Isle  of 


/ 


PROCEEDINGS. 


179 


Bourbon,  where  the  finest  Sea- Island  cotton,  next  to  our  own,  is  known  to 
grow.  With  a soil  impoverished  by  2000  years  or  more  of  cultivation; 
with  a climate  in  which  it  rains  continually  for  half  the  year,  and  for  the  re- 
mainder of  it  never  rains,  so  that  during  one  period  cotton  will  not  grow  at 
all,  and  during  the  other  must  depend  on  dews  and  laborious  irrigation;  al- 
most without  animal  power ; with  an  idle  and  feeble  race  of  labourers  ; para- 
lyzed by  absurd  social  forms  ; and  subjected  to  the  most  unprofitable  as 
well  as  the  most  wretched  system  of  slavery  ; with  all  these  drawbacks,  I 
cannot  believe  that  India  will  be  able  to  compete  with  us.  It  is  idle  to  talk 
of  her  doing  so  with  other  sections  of  our  country.  To  Egypt — notwith- 
standing the  temporary  effect  of  the  galvanic  energies  of  Mehemet  Ali — and 
to  Western  Asia,  belong  nearly  all  the  disadvantages  of  India,  without  the 
benefit  of  English  capital  and  English  enterprize.  Brazil  and  other  parts  of 
South  America  might  become  more  formidable  rivals,  but  their  institutions 
are  too  unsettled,  and  their  population  too  motley  and  uncivilized,  if  they  had 
no  other  impediments,  to  give  us  serious  alarm. 

But  the  cotton  growers  of  South  Carolina  need  not  look  abroad  for  compe- 
tition. It  is  much  nearer  home.  It  is  our  own  kith  and  kin — the  hardy  and 
industrious  and  enterprising  vanguard  of  civilization — -tha*  have  levelled  the 
marantic  forests  of  the  South  and  South-west,  and  furrowed  the  rich  bottoms 
through  which  pour  the  tributaries  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  from  the  Suwanee 
to  the  Sabine,  and  that  have  but  recently  rescued  from  a slothful  race  the 
fertile  empire  stretching  beyond  the  Sabine  to  the  Ruo  Grande-*-who  are 
destined,  at  no  distant  day,  to  supply  the  foreign  markets  of  the  world  with 
this  inestimable  staple.  They  have  just  overcome  all  the  incipient  difficul- 
ties of  the  enterprise,  and  are  now  prepared  to  put  forth,  on  the  finest  soil  and 
in  the  most  favorable  climate  of  the  earth,  an  energy  which  must  inevitably 
crush  all  serious  competition. 

A few  facts  will  shew  their  progress  and  our  own.  From  1769  to  1811, 
the  production  of  cotton  in  the  United  States  had  increased  from  nothing  to 
90  millions  of  pounds,  of  which  but  2 millions  were  grown  in  the  Gulf 
States,  not  counting  Georgia  or  Tennessee  among  them.  By  1828,  these 
States  had  risen  by  slow  degrees  to  185  millions  in  a crop  of  338.  In 
1834,  the  whole  crop  had  increased  to  457  millions,  of  which  they  produced 
252  millions,  or  rather  more  than  half.  And  in  1339,  when  the  crop 
amounted  to  S30  millions,  these  same  States  grew  f»0U  millions,  having  in  the 
last  five  years  doubled  their  production  and  made  100  millions  more,  while 
the  rest  of  the  cotton  growing  States  in  the  aggregate  had  actually,  for  thir- 
teen years  previous,  made  no  increase  at  all.  The  world  is  accustomed, 
-especially  oflate,  to  speak  with  astonishment  of  the  unparalleled  progress  of 
the  growth  of  cotton  in  this  country.  Yet  for  fifteen  years  now  the  whole  of 
hat  progress  has  been  made  in  the  Gulf  States.  Notwithstanding  the  high 


180 


AGRICULTURAL 


prices.  We  have  been  stationary.  Is  not  this  a startiirg  fact?  It  seems  ta 
me  of  itself  to  settle  the  question,  and  to  leave  no  doubt  that  these  States, 
having  now  but  fairly  prepared  themselves  lor  it,  so  soon  as  the  check  on 
consumption  shall  place  in  strict  competition  all  the  cotton  growers  of  the 
world,  and  reduce  prices  to  their  lowest  point,  the  cultivation  of  this  staple 
must  be  confined  almost  entirely  to  these  fertile  regions. 

Now,  1 believe,  prices  have  already  leached,  if  indeed  the  y have  not  gore 
below,  the  lowest  point  at  which  we  can  profitably  grow  cotton  in  this  State. 
The  average  amount  of  cotton  made  in  South  Carolina,  and  I may  include  a 
large  part  of  Georgia  also,  does  not  exceed  1200  lbs.  per  hand.  The  aver- 
age expenses  per  hand,  cannot  be  less  than  $35.  When  every  tiling  is 
taken  into  account  for  which  money  is  paid,  or  labour  abstracted  from  the 
field  to  make,  I doubt  whether  the  most  judicious  planter  is  able  to  reduce 
them  lower.  If,  then,  cotton  sells  at  an  average  of  1 0 cents  net,  on  the 
plantation,  to  do  which  it  must  bring  in  the  seaports  11  or  12  according  to 
the  distance  of  transportation,  the  clear  profits  for  each  hand  in  these  States, 
will  be  $85.  And  this  includes  the  rent  ofland.  If  cotton  sells  at  8 cents 
net,  on  the  plantation,  the  clear  profit,  rent  included,  will  be  only  $61.  I'f 
this  estimate  be  correct,  it  will  be  seen  at  once  that  cotton  cannot  be 
profitably  grown  here  at  8 cents  per  lb.  Yet  this  is  at  least  as  much  as 
we  shall  realize  for  the  present  crop,  and  more,  1 believe,  than  we  can  safely 
anticipate  hereafter. 

If  any  one  doubts  the  permanency  or  abundance  of  the  future  supply' 
from  other  quarters  at  8 cents  per  lb.  or  even  less,  let  him  look  a moment  at 
the  profits  of  the  planters  in  the  Gulf  States  to  which  I have  alluded.  The 
vast  land  speculations  incident  to  new  and  fertile  countries,  and  the  fact  that 
every  thing  has  been  conducted  there  on  the  credit  system,  have,  it  is  true,- 
involved  those  States  in  gre  at  embarrassment.  But  this  does  not  effect  the 
productive  capacity  of  the  soil.  The  average  crop  per  hand  there  cannot 
be  rated  at  less  than  2000  lbs.  The  expenses  per  hand  I will  estimate  at 
$40,  although  when  compelled  to  be  economical,  1 see  no  reason  why  tiny 
should  exceed  our  own.  At  10  cents  net  for  his  cotton,  the  Gulf  Planter 
will  make  $160  clear,  against  $85  at  the  same  prices  here,  and  at  8 cents, 
$120  against  $61  ; which  shews  that  at  prices  ruinonsto  us,  he  will  realize  a 
handsome  interest  on  his  investment.  But  while  1 have  estimated  onr  pro- 
duction fully  as  high  as  truth  will  permit,  I am  satisfied  I have  underrated 
that  of  some  of  these  States,  perhaps  all,  On  their  best  lands  3000  lbs.  per 
hand  is  nod  at  all  an  extraordinary  crop,  and  more  is  often  made.  The 
planters  themselves,  though  great  advocates  of  shot?  crops  at  certain  seasons 
of  the  year,  would  scarcely  be  willing  to  estimate  their  average  crops  at  less 
than  2500  lbs.  At  these  rates  of  production,  and  at  even  6 cents  a pound 
net,  they  will  make  the  very  fair  profit  of  $110  to  140  per  hand  ; and  unless 


PROCEEDINGS. 


181 


cotton  is  forever  to  baffle  all  the  laws  of  trade,  it  is  certain  that  prices  must 
ere  long  range  about  and  possibly  below  that  point. 

A result  so  fatal  to  us  could  only  be  arrested  by  the  want  of  sufficient  land 
or  labour  in  these  fruitful  countries.  But  of  this  there  is  no  prospect.  Both 
may  be  already  found  or  soon  placed  there  in  ample  abundance,  to  supply 
not  only  the  whole  quota  furnished  by  the  United  States,  but  all  that  is  now 
furnished  by  every  cotton  growing  region,  for  the  foreign  markets  of  the 
world.  A slight  examination  will  show  the  fact  conclusively.  The  crop. of 
the  world  fur  1839,  the  last  of  which  I have  seen  a full  return,  and  the 
ihe  largest  perhaps  ever  grown,  supplied  the  markets  of  the  United  States 
and  Europe  with  a little  less  than  1000  millions  of  pounds.  At  the  rate  of 
•250  lbs.  to  the  acre,  it  would  require  hut  4 millions  of  acres  to  grow  it  all. 
The  four  States  bordering  on  the  gulf — Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Alabama  and 
Florida — not  to  include  that  almost  equally  fertile  section  of  Georgia  be- 
tween the  Flint  and  Ghattahoochie  rivers — contain  130  millions  of  acres.  If 
then  only  one  acre  can  be  found  in  32  capable  of  producing  250  lbs.  they 
alone  can  supply  the  present  demand  of  all  the  foreign  markets  of  the  world, 
and  of  our  own  also.  It  is  difficult  to  compute  the  entire  crop  of  the  whole 
world,  including  that  portion  which  is  consumed  at  home  in  other  countries 
than  our  own,  as  well  as  that  which  goes  abroad,  but  according  to  the  most 
extravagant  estimate  which  has  been  made — excepting  however,  the  very 
veracious  returns  of  our  late  census  takers — it  cannot  exceed  1500  millions 
of  lbs.  At  the  rate  per  acre  mentioned,  it  would  require  hut  6 millions  of 
acres,  or  one  in  21  of  those  contained  in  these  States,  to  yield  the  whole 
amount,  and  supply  the  entire  demand  not  only  of  the  foreign  markets,  but  of 
tiie  whole  human  family  at  the  present  moment. 

In  this  estimate  I have  said  nothing  of  the  magnificent  wilderness  which 
joins  us  on  our  South-western  border.  Texas  alone  contains  150  millions  acres. 
The  elimate  has  not  been  fairly  tested,  and  like  that  of  other  regions  ap- 
proaching the  tropics,  its  vicissitudes  may  prove  too  great  for  complete  suc- 
cess in  the  cultivation  of  cotton.  As  yet,  however,  those  best  acquainted 
with  it  regard  it  as  the  most  favourable  of  all  others,  while  a large  propor- 
tion of  its  soil  is  undoubtedly  as  fertile  as  any  which  has  ever  yielded  its 
fruits  to  the  hand  of  man.  Already  it  is  swarming  with  the  adventurous 
offspring  of  the  great  Anglo  Saxon  family,  and  offering  the  most  formidable 
competition  to  even  the  bountiful  bottoms  of  the  Mississippi  and  Red  River. 
When  sufficient  labour  shall  have  found  its  way  thither,  as  it  is  now  rapidly 
doing,  no  one  can  venture  to  assign  a limit  to  either  the  extent  or  cheapness 
of  its  production  of  cotton.  • There  is  little  question,  however,  that  out  of  the 
280  millions  of  aeres,  embraced  in  this  country  and  our  own  gulf  States, 
land  enough  will  befound  in  considerable  bodies  of  such  quality  as  to  grow 
rat  6 cents  a pound,  or  less,  cotton  sufficient  to  supply^  the  progressive  de- 


182 


AGRICULTURAL 


mand  of  mankind  in  all  time  to  come.  For  were  they  at  this  moment  to 
he  civilized  by  some  supernatural  influence,  with  every  avenue  of  commerce- 
thrown  wi  ’e  open,  and  every  article  competing  with  it  drawn  from  the 
market  to  the  full  extent  that  probably  they  ever  can  be,  the  800  millions  who 
inhabit  all  the  earth  would  scarcely  require  more  ; 8,000  millions  of  pounds. 
This  they  might  produce  on  30  millions  of  acres,  or  one  acre  in  9.  And 
when  it  is  remembered  that  one  half  of  France  and  one  third  of  England, 
barren  as  they  were  by  nature,  are  now  in  actual  tillage,,  it  cannot  be  ex- 
travagant to  suppose  one  ninth  of  these  prolific  soils,  well  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  cotton. 

Nor  will  there  be  any  deficiency  of  labourers.  White  labour,  it  is  true, 
can  be  made  available  only  to  a very  limited  extent.  But  there  are  in  the 
United  States  and  Texas  upwards  of  2 millions  and  a half  of  slaves,  1500,- 
000  of  whom  may  be  rated  as  efficient  hands.  Those  who  grow  cotton 
make  their  own  provisions,  or  can  do  it.  To  meet  the  remaining  agricultu- 
ral and  domestic,  as  well  as  all  other  demands  for  slave  labour,  will  scarcely 
require  more  than  half  these  hands.  So  that  the  other  half,  or  750,000 
may  be  employed  in  cotton  culture.  These,  at  even  2000  lbs.  each,  will 
produce  1500  millions  of  pounds,  which  is  precisely  the  amount  at  which  I 
have  computed  the  crop  of  the  whole  world.  But  the  present  demand  of  all 
the  foreign  markets  and  our  own  can  be  supplied  by  500,000  properly  lo- 
cated ; and  thereis  little  question  that  such  a location  will  be  speedily  effeot- 
ed.  This  done,  we  shall  have  an  actual  surplus  of  slave  labour  on  our 
hands. 

If,  then,  the  consumption  of  Short  Staple  cotton  has  reached  such  a point 
that  the  least  advance  on  the  present  low  prices  immediately  checks  it, 
and  one  at  which  it  seems  scarcely  possible,  at  any  prices,  to  maintain  it ; 
if  at  the  same  time  the  production  of  this  kind  of  cotton  is  increasing  every 
where  over  the  world  : and  especially  in  the  countries  bordering  on  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  both  in  and  out  of  the  United  States;  who,  though  latest  to  begin 
its  culture,  possess  such  advantages  of  soil  and  climate  as  to  have  already 
far  outrun  all  competition,  and,  having  conquered  most  of  the  difficulties  inci- 
dent to  new  countries  and  new  enterprises,  do  now  furnish  six-tenths  of  the 
demand  of  both  the  American  and  European  markets,  and  are  capable  of 
supplying,  almost  immediately,  the  whole,  at  such  prices  as  are  utterly  ruin- 
ous to  us;  if  all  these  things  be  true,  as  I have  endeavored  to  shew  they 
are,  the  conclusion  is  irresistable,  that  the  planter's  of  South  Carolina  will  be 
speedily  compelled  almost,  if  not  altogether,  to  abandon  its  longer  cultiva- 
tion. 

Such  an  event  cannot  be  contemplated  hut  with  feelings  of  profound  emo- 
tion. Not  only  on  account  of  its  immediate  pecuaiarv  consequences,  hut  its- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


183 


great  moral  effects.  Whatever  may  be  the  future  destiny  of  our  State,  there 
can  be  no  doubt  that  her  Staple  culture  has  had  a most  important  influence 
on  her  past  career,  and  contributed  largely  to  make  her  what  she  is.  It  has 
created  for  her  a large  class  elevated  above  the  necessity  of  any  kind  of 
labour,  many  of  whom  have  devoted  themselves  to  letters,  to  travel,  and  to 
public  affairs.  Even  those  whose  choice  it  has  been  to  reside  on  their  planta- 
tions, and  superintend  in  person  their  own  concerns,  are  accustomed  to  take 
enlarged  and  manly  views  of  every  thing;  to  govern  masses  ; to  sway,  com- 
paratively, a broad  expanse  of  territory  ; to  control  and  scorn  to  be  con- 
trolled, except  by  kind  affection,  sound  reason,  and  just  laws.  Such  charac- 
ters are  essential  elements  of  a high  stale  of  civilization.  And  where  they 
grow  up  naturally,  and  are  unendowed  with  any  privileges  but  those  which 
superior  knowledge  and  superior  virtue  give,  they  constitute  the  strongest 
and  the  noblest  pillars  of  civil  liberty. 

But  it  is  as  vain  to  lament  what  Providence  seems  to  have  decreed,  as  it 
would  be  to  expect  to  avert  it,  by  closing  our  eyes  upon  the  fact,  and  in- 
dulging in  the  short  and  foolish  happiness  of  wilful  blindness.  We  have  no 
alternative  but  to  prepare  to  meet  the  difficulties  which  await  us  — If  my 
fears  may  indeed  have  magnified  the  danger,  we  can  lose  nothing,  at  all 
events,  by  a serious  consideration  of  the  facts  I have  presented,  and  an  im- 
mediate and  earnest  inquiry  into  the  resources  we  possess,  and  of  which  we 
can  avail  ourselves  in  case  of  need.  This  inquiry  I now  propose  to  make  as 
briefly  as  possible. 

There  are  many  who  if  convinced,  as  I am,  of  the  eminent  advantages 
which  the  countries  I have  spoken  of,  have  over  us  in  growing  cotton,  would 
immediately  emigrate  thither.  — And  for  such  as  are  disposed  to  follow  the 
fortunes  of  the  Short  Staple  crop,  I see  no  better  course.  But  there  are 
some — a large  majority  I trust — who  prefer  to  link  their  destiny  with  the 
land  that  gave  them  birth,  and  struggle  on  at  home  through  all  lire  changes 
which  time  and  fate  may  bring.  To  such  I hope  to  be  able  to  show  they 
have  much  reason  to  be  satisfied  that  their  lot  has  been  cast  where  it  is. 

Deprived  of  Cotton  as  our  main  crop,  we  shall  be  compelled  to  resort  to 
every  variety  of  production  which  our  soil  and  climate  affords,  to  make  out  a 
crop  which  may  be  profitably  cultivated.  Among  them  I have  no  doubt  that 
Cotton  will  always  hold  a place  to  some,  though  probably  a small,  extent.  I 
have  estimated  tne  average  production  of  the  best  cotton  regions  at  250  lbs. 
per  acre.  And,  although  they  have  much  that  will  do  better,  I think  I may 
safely  say,  that  land  which  will  produce  300  lbs.  need  not  fear  any  competi- 
tion. We  have  no  bodies  of  such  land  in  our  State.  But  here  and  there 
spots  may  be  found,  and  by  judicious  management  more  can  be  made  to  do  it. 
So  that  every  planter  who  wiil  be  content  to  lessen  materially  his  cotton  crop, 


184 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  commence  at  once  to  manure  highly  all  he  plants,  may  yet  be  enabled  to 
grow  some  of  his  favorite  article.  For  the  bulk  of  his  crop,  however,  he 
must  adopt  some  of  the  substitutes  I shall  enumerate. 

In  all  that  I have  heretofore  said,  L have  spoken  of  Short  Staple  cotton 
exclusively.  It  is  well  known,  however,  that  South  Carojina  is  the  largest 
producer  of  the  best  Sea  Island  cotton.  In  its  finest  qualities  we  have,  I 
believe,  as  yet  no  rival.  How  far  this  crop  may  be  profitably  extended  is 
uncertain.  The  consumption  of  it  has  fluctuated  around  the  same  point  for 
the  last  30  years,  and  we  might  infer  had  reached  its  maximum.  But  by  a 
judicious  system  of  culture,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  inferior  quali- 
ties — the  Maines  and  Santees,  may  be  grown  so  cheaply  as  to  drive  out  of 
competition  the  Egyptian  and  better  sorts  of  Brazilian  which  now  rival  them, 
and  thus  secure  a larger  market  for  ourselves.  Our  planters  on  the  sea  coast 
already  put  in  little  enough  to  the  hand,  and  are  alive  to  the  advantages  of 
manuring.  Let  me  recommend  to  their  earnest  consideration  a much  more 
extensive  usj  of  that  implement  which  has  wrought  such  a revolution  in  short 
staple  culture  within  the  last  10  years.  I mean  the  plough.  Horse  power 
is  in  planting,  what  machinery  is  in  manufacturing.  And  it  not  only  saves 
labor,  but  does  better  work  and  assists  to  preserve  and  renovate  the  land. 
Cato  said — so  long  ago  as  his  day — that  “the  best  culture  of  land  was  good 
ploughing;  the  next  best,  ploughing  in  the  ordinary  way,  and  the  next  best” — 
but  after  these,  “ laying  on  manure.”  I commend  his  maxims  to  our  Sea- 
Island  Planters,  and  believe  that  by  the  adoption  of  them  they  will  soon  absorb 
a portion  of  the  labor  which  will  be  thrown  out  of  the  Short  Staple  crop. 

The  culture  of  Rice  upon  our  Sea-board  has  stood  the  test  of  time  and 
competition,  and  we  may  safely  regard  it  as  a great  and  valuable  Staple,  of 
which  no  contingency  is  likely  ever  to  deprive  our  State.  The  demand  is 
steadily  increasing,  and  offers  a fair  reward  to  those  who  will  embark  in  its 
production.  Although  we  grow  three-fourths  of  the  crop  of  the  U.  States, 
only  a small  part  of  the  State  adapted  to  it,  has  yet  been  prepared  for  culti- 
vation. Vast  inland  Swamps  well  suited  for  it,  yet  frown  in  barren  gloom 
every  where  below  the  ridge,  while  many  of  our  up  country  bottoms,  which 
are  destined  at  some  future  day  to  groan  beneath  its  harvest,  are  now  only 
idle  wastes,  consigned  to  flags  and  rushes.  The  necessity  which  shall  drive 
us  to  drain  these  grand  reservoirs  of  disease  and  death,  will  one  day  be 
hailed  as  an  inestimable  blessing.  We  cannot  too  soon  turn  our  attention  to 
it,  and  instead  of  drawing  our  supplies  of  rice  from  the  Sea-board,  wre  of  the 
up  country  may  at  no  distant  day  send  our  tributes  to  unite  with  theirs  in 
supplying  the  North,  and  Western  Europe,  where  this  luxury  is  fast  becoming 
a necessary  of  life. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  the  means  I recommend  for  preserving  a remnant 
of  our  Short  Staple  crop  and  increasing  that  of  Rice,  involve  an  important 


PROCEEDINGS. 


185 


change  in  our  system  of  Agriculture  ; and  a resort  to  manuring,  draining  and 
contracted  planting,  to  an  extent  which  I confess  I have  not  heretofore  advo- 
cated. In  doing  so  now,  I do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  joining  in  tiie 
fashionable  denunciation  of  the  husbaudry  practised  by  our  Fathers,  and 
handed  down  to  us.  To  every  period,  as  well  as  to  every  production,  belongs 
its  peculiar  culture.  If  when  lands  were  cheap,  and  labor  dear,  and  prices 
high,  our  forests  were  cut  down  and  our  soil -exhausted  to  obtain  for  industry 
the  most  ample  and  speedy  returns,  let  no  one  harshly  pronounce  the  course 
unwise.  If  the  land  is  worn  out  where  has  the  substance  gone?  It  lias 
clothed  and  fed  and  educated  and  made  happy  thousands  who  had  lived  before 
and  with  us.  It  has  bgen  converted  into  active  capital  bearing  an  interest 
proportioned  to  the  value  of  money  in  a country  comparatively  new,  and  lias 
contributed  through  a multitude  of  operations  to  our  present  wealth  and  com. 
fort.  If  it  were  yet  locked  up  in  the  besom  of  the  earth,  and  all  the  benefits 
it  has  conferred — past  and  present — were  unknown,  will  any  one  say  we 
should  be  better  off?  Would  any  one  restore  the  soil  to  its  virgin  state,  and 
sink  beneath  it  all  the  vast  improvements  which  its  consumptipn  has  effected: 
the  knowledge  it  has  spread  abroad:  the  virtues  it  has  cherished:  the  advan- 
tages of  travel:  the  luxuries  of  home  : and  all  the  numberless  blessings  which 
it  has  conferred?  Z think  not.  If  our  land  has  been  exhausted  by  a sparse 
population  in  the  vigorous  cultivation  of  an  important  staple  which  competi- 
tion was  rendering  less  valuable  yearly,  let  us  now,  when  that  cultivation  is 
no  longer  profitable,  population  denser,  land  more  valuable,  and  labor  cheaper, 
de-vote  ungrudgingly,  without  ungrateful  reproach  of  those  who  have  gone 
before  us,  a portion — and  a small  portion  will  suffice — of  past  gains  to  its 
renovation.  This  is  the  part  which,  in  the  order  of  events,  has  been  asssign- 
ed  to  us. 

The  innumerable  streams  which  intersect  the  State,  and  the  gradual  fall 
towards  the  ocean  of  even  the  flattest  parts  of  the  Low-country,  afford  gteat 
advantages  for  draining,  while  nature  has  been  extremely  bountiful  to  us  in 
materials  far  manure.  In  many  parts  of  the  State  marl  has  been  found  in 
abundance,  and  at  convenient  points  for  water  transportation : and  no  doubt 
it  will  yet  be  .found  where  it  is  not  thought  of  now.  In  other  parts,  limestone 
exists  to  an  unknown  extent : and  in  others  again  Salt-mash  and  oyster-banks 
abound.  Almost  every  where  upon  our  rivers,  creeks  and  branches,  and  in 
our  swamps,  we  have  rich  alluvial  deposites,  a portion  of  which  may  he  well 
spared  to  recruit  the  exhausted  soil  near : and  our  forests  furnish  a boundless 
supply  of  leaves  and  straw,  which  in  various  ways  may  be  converted  into 
valuable  compost.  Possessed  of  these  resources,  and  all  the  usual  ones  inci- 
dent to  farm  yards,  whenever  we  resolve  to  set  seriously  about  it,  I question 
whether  it  will  be  found  near  so  tedious  or  expensive  to  reclaim  our  waste  and 


186 


AGRICULTURAL 


renovate  our  worn  out  lands,  as  is  now  generally  supposed.  But  this  inter- 
esting topic  alone  would  require  all  the  time  allotted  to  this  occasion,  and  I 
must  therefore  pass  from  it  to  continue  my  enumeration  of  the  substitutes  to 
which  we  may  resort  when  we  can  no  longer  depend  upon  our  cotton  crops. 

Although  we  now  purchase  from  other  states,  probably  one  half  the -flour 
we  consume,  there  is  hardly  any  part  of  this  State  in  which  wheat  may  not 
be  grown.  Fair  crops  may  be  now  occasionally  seen  within  40  miles  of  the 
sea-coast,  perhaps  nearer;  and  few  soils  or  climates  are  better  adapted  to  it 
than  the  upper  parts  of  South-Garolina.  The  flour  made  there,  when  ski l 
fully  managed,  is  not  in  the  least  inferior  to  the  best  that  we  receive  from  Vir. 
giniaor  the  Lakes;  and  it  only  requires  an  impulse,  such  as  the  loss  of  the 
cotton  crop  will  give,  to  convert  our  State  into  an  exporter  instead  of  importer 
of  the  article.  The  same  may  be  said  of  every  other  kind  of  grain.  We 
obtain  large  supplies  of  oats,  rve,  barley,  and  even  Indian  corn,  from  other 
States,  when  few  or  no  States  can  grow  them  in  greater  abundance  than  our 
own.  I do  not  allude  to  the  fact  to  condemn  the  practice  in  the  wholesale,  as 
it  is  now  becoming  custom  try  to  do.  The  planter  is  but  little  more  capable 
of  raising  to  advantage  every  thing  within  himself  than  other  persons,  and  if 
he  is  cultivating  other  valuable  crops  which  will  enable  him  on  a fair  calcula- 
tion to  purchase  these  things  cheaper  than  he  can  grow  them,  he  is  just  as 
correct  in  doing  so  as  the  merchant  is  in  buying  his  hat  or  the  tailor  his  shoes, 
instead  ot  making  them  in  their  own  families.  But  when  the  more  valuable 
crops  fail,  and  the  means  of  purchasing  are  taken  from  us,  we  shall  be  driven 
to  produce  provisions  of  all  kinds,  and  I feel  assured  we  will  soon  find  that 
we  can  do  it  as  abundantly  and  cheaply  as  it  can  be  done  in  any  other  place. 
The  prospect  of  a foreign  market  is  not  very  flattering,  it  is  true,  but  when 
England  repjals  her  corn  laws,  which  in  a few  years  she  will  be  forced  to  do, 
we  can  at  least  take  our  chances  with  the  rest  of  the  world  for  her  market, 
and  with  some  advantages  on  our  sido,  if  no  unjust  tariff  shall  prevent  our 
receiving  in  payment  such  of  her  munufactures  as  we  may  not  make  at  home. 

But  we  might  convert  our  surplus  corn  and  grain  into  live  stock  as  well  as 
any  people  in  the  world,  and  thus  keep  at  home  immense  sums  which  are 
annually  drawn  from  us  in  exchange  for  horses,  mules,  cattle,  hogs,  sheep,  ar.d 
even  poultry.  Our  climate  has  not  been  found  too  warm  for  a species  nf 
domestic  animal.  English  cattle  and  sheep,  as  well  as  English  horses,  flour- 
ish even  on  our  sea-hoard  ; and  our  mild  winters  enable  us  to  keep  all  kinds 
of  stock  at  comparatively  little  expense  for  either  food  or  shelter.  Our 
swamps  are  covered  with  natural  and  nutritious  ever-greens  ; most  artificial 
grasses  have  been  found  to  succeed  ; while  among  our  own  diversified  pro- 
ductions, we  have  substitutes  which  render  them  scarcely  necessary.  Car- 
rots, beets  and  turnips,  all  do  well.  Pindars  and  sweet-potatoes,  more  valu- 
able perhaps  for  stock  than  these,  are  peculiarly  our  products.  With  these 


PROCEEDINGS. 


187 


two  articles,  the  luxuriant  cow-pea,  and  the  common  grains,  we  can,  for  9 
months  in  the  year,  furnish,  at  a cheap  rate.,  the  richest  and  most  abundant 
pasturage:  and  what  country  can  do  more?  Indeed,  in  raising  hegs,  could 
we  find  a foreign  market,  or  had  we  large  cities  or  numerous  factories  among 
us  to  afford  non-producing  consumers,  we  could  do.  a business  not  at  all  less 
profitable  than  growing  cotton  at  12^- cents  a pntnd.  With  tolerable  pastur- 
age a hog  weighing  20b  lbs.  net,  may  be  reared  and  fattened  on  8 bushels  of 
cmi.  On  average  land,  300  bushels  to  each  hand  and  horse  would  not  be 
more  than  a fair  crop — TOO  bushels  will  feed  the  hand  and  horse,  leaving  209 
bushels  surplus.  With  this,  25  hogs  weighing  5000  lbs.  net,  may  be  raised. 
At  4 cents  per  lb.  for  this  pork,  or  6 cen's  when  converted  into  bacon,  the 
gross  income  per  hand  will  be  5200.  While  1200  of  cotton  at  12$  cents* 
will  bring  only  $150  gross  ; thus  enabling  us  to  make  a very  liberal  allowance 
forthe  trouble  of  attending  to  the  stock,  and  any  errors  ihere  may  be  in  the 
calculation.  That  we  should,  under  these  circumstances,  ever  purchase 
meat  fiom  other  States,  proves,  I think,  that  there  has  been  some  want  both 
of  reflection  and  experiment.  Yet,  fir  this  article,  and  other  kinds  of  provi- 
sions, and  for  mules  and  horses,  it  is  pretty  certain  that  we  send  away  annu- 
ally in  the  aggregate  the  immense  sum  of  $2,000,000,  or  more. 

Tobacco  and  Indigo,  our  Stats  produced  largely  at  one  lime.  They  have 
been  superseded  by  cotton,  though  still  grown,  I believe,  in  small  quantities, 
and  chiefly  for  domestic  use.  In  some  sections  their  culture  can,  and  doubt- 
less will,  be  revived  with  profit.  The  discoveries  of  marl  and  limestone  will 
afford  greater  facilities  for  the  manufacture  of  Indigo,  than  heretofore  pos- 
sessed. Sugar,  of  which  we  are  now  said  to  make  30,000  lbs.  per  annum, 
may  be  made  here  as  cheaply,  peihaps,  as  we*can  buy  it.  when  the  loss  of 
cotton  shall  stop  our  supply  of  money  from  abroad.  Unless,  indeed,  the  duty 
be  repealed,  so  that  we  can  get  it  at  half  the  present  price,  and  probably  in 
exchange  for  our  provisions  a:.d  other  products.  At  all  events  its  culture  is 
practicable  here  ; and  where  it  will  not  granulate,  an  excellent  and  valuable 
syrrup-may  be  extracted  from  the  cane  ; and  that  has  been  grown  at  200 
miles  distance  from  the  coast.  Should  it  turn  out  that  there  is  any  ground  for 
a statement  which  I have  lately  seen  in  a respective  Agricultural  Journal,  and 
apparently  from  a respectable  source,  that  sugar  has  been  made  from  corn- 
stalks at  the  rate  of  1000  lbs  to  the  acre,  but  a short  period  can  elapse  before 
every  farmer  in  the  country  will  regularly  manufacture  all  he  consumes. 

Flax  and  Hemp  do  well  in  the  up-country.  Castor  and  Bene  oil  of  the 
very  best  quality  have  been  expressed  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  and 
olive  oil  also  may  be  made,  for  we  know  that  the  olive-tree  can  be  reared 
here.  Tar,  pitch  and  turpentine,  considered  so  important  elsewhere,  we  can 
produce  to  almost  any  extent;  while  with  timber  and  lumber  of  several  of  the 


138 


AGRICULTURAL 


most  valuable  kinds,  and  with  staves  and  shingles,  wccan,  for  ages,  supply  ail 
the  markets  within  reach,  and  do  now  furnish  large  quantities  at  excellent 
profits. 

The  cultivation  of  the  vine  has  heretofore  attracted  some  attention,  but  the 
attempt  to  make  wine  has  generally  been  regarded  as  having  failed.  I have 
little  doubt  the  failure  has  been  owing,  in  a great  degree,  to  the  recent  plant, 
ing  of  our  vineyards.  It  is  well  known  in  wine  countries,  that  no  vineyard  is 
considered  of  much  value  until  it  has  borne  fruit  for  at  least  20  years.  Yet 
we  have  been  disheartened  because  ours  have  not  arrived  at  maturity  in  5 or 
6..  A short  and  intense  summer,  or  something  in  location  equivalent  to  it, 
seems  to  be  -required  for  the  perfection  of  the  grape,  and  it  is  possible  that, 
being  so  far  South,  we  may  not  be  ablo  to  make  the  best  qualities,  at  least  of 
what  are  called  white  wines;  though  of  this  we  should  not  despair  until  our 
mountain  districts  have  been  fairly  tried.  That  we  may,,  with  due  care  and  in 
due  time,  produce  abundantly,  in  every  section  of  the  State,  the  light  wines  of 
Italy,  and  perhaps  some  of  those  of  the  South  of  France,  which  are  so  highly 
prized,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe. 

The  experimerts  which  have  been  made  in  silk  culture,  leave  no  doubt 
whatever  of  our  complete  success  in  that.  In  fact,  American  silk  is  said,  on 
very  good  authority,  to  be  better  than  that  made  in  any  part  of  the  old  world. 
And  in  no  part  of  America  can  it  be  better  made  than  here.  As  a proof  of  this, 
an  enterprising  lady  of  one  of  our  upper  districts,  obtained  this  year,  from  the 
New  York  Institute,  the  first  premium  for  the  best  silk  grown  and  wove  in  the 
United  States,  against  competition  from  almost  every  section  of  the  Union. 
It  is  stated  by  some  of  our  historians,  that  so  far  back  as  1759,  10.000  lbs.  of 
raw  silk  was  exported  from  “South  Carolina.  Whether  this  be  tiue  or  not, 
we  all  know  that  none  of  our  soils  are  so  poor,  and  no  portion  of  our  State 
so  cold,  as  not  to  grow  the  mulberry  in  its  utmost  perfection.  It  is  true  that 
the  enemies  of  the  worm  have  been  found  very  numerous,  and  its  diseases 
fatal : but  it  is  ascertained,  that  in  all  silk  countries,  at  least  one  half  of  them, 
from  some  cause  or  other,  perish  before  spinning.  If  we  were  properly  pre- 
pared to  rear  them,  the  mortality  here  would  not,  I am  confident,  be  so  great 
as  that.  And  if,  as  is  supposed,  nearly  all  that  die  fall  victims  of  a disease 
called  jnuscardine,  and  a remedy  for  that  has  been  discovered,  as  recently 
announced,  in  the  use  of  lime,  it  is  perfectly  certain  that  in  growing  silk,  we 
may  very  soon  compete  with,  and  probably  excel,  any  other  people.  It  by 
means  of  ice  the  worm  can  surely  be  retarded  until  the  most  critical  periods 
of  our  other  crops  have  passed,  a crop  of  silk  may  be  made  which  would  be 
almost  clear  gain  to  the  planter. 

[ have  enumerated  some  of  the  most  prominent  of  our  productions  to  which 
we  may  resort  when  no  longer  able  to  grow  to  advantage  the  great  staple, 


PROCEED  JAGS, 


is  9 


which  for  the  last  40  years  has  absorbed  nil  our  husbandry.  But  why,  when 
this  event  is  made  manifest,  shall  we  confine  ourselves  strictly  to  Agricultural 
pursuits*-  possessing,  as  we  do,  so  many  other  resources,  inviiingsnd  reward-' 
5ng  as  amply  here  as  elsewhere  enterprise  and  industry?  Ah  all  bountiful 
Providence  lias  blessed  our  favored  region  with  mineral  wealth  of  incalculable' 
ralue.  In  many  places  within  our  Slate#- vast  quantities  of  iron  ore  have  long 
benn  known  to  exist*  and  within  the  last  few  years  m&ch  enterprise  has  hem 
exhibited  and  heavy  expenses  incurred  to  turn  it  to  account.  Already  forges# 
furnaces,,  bloomeries  and  rolling  mills  have  been  put  in  operation,  and  with 
every  prospect  of  cc?mp!ete  success,  fifo  coal  has  yet  been  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  any  of  these  beds  of  ore.  That  is  a discovery,  however,  which 
the  geological  character  of  the  countiv  gives  ground  to  hope  may  be  the 
reward  of  future  research,  while,  for  a long  time  to  come,-  the  immense  forests' 
near  at  hand  will  render  it  unnecessary.  The  consumption  of  iron  of  ail 
kiuds,  exclusive  of  cutlery,  in  South  Carolina,  must,  if  sire  consume  in  equal 
proportion  with  the  other  Stales,  exceed  $2,000,000  per  annum  ; and  this 
sum  kept  among  us  would  not  only  enrich  the  explores  of  this  hidden  tree- 
sure,  but  contribute  through  a thousand  channels  to  enrich  the  State,  Veins 
of  gold  have  also  been  opened,  and  some  of  our  mines  have  proved  more 
profitable,  I am  well  informed,  fiian  any  in  the  Union-1— perhaps  in  the  world. 

Quarries  of  marble,  too,  have  been  discovered,-  and  beautiful  specimens- 
extracted  : and  Granite  forms  the  basis  of  one  third  of  our  State.  Salt  has- 
been  manufactured  also  on  our  sea-coast,  and  there  is  no  reason-  that  it  should 
not  bo  made  to  any  extent  required. 

In  water  power,  cur  State  may  safely  challenge  comparison  with  any  part 
of  the  world.  From  the  mountains  aknost  to  tide  water,  tire  whole  country 
is  veined  with  streams  of  sufficient  size,  with  ample  full  and  innumerable  sites 
for  erecting  machinery  of  every  kind-  Experience  has  proved  that  our  slaves 
can  be  made  as  expert  as  any  other  class  in  all#  or  nearly  all,  the  operations 
of  a cotton  factory.  With  such  abundant  water  power  and  such-cheap- labor,  if 
the  effort  be  made,  we  can  speedily  supply  our  entire  home  consumption  of goods 
of  ordinary  qualities,  and  in  due  time  we  may  expect  to  be  aide  to  compete 
with  the  rest  of  the  world  in  every  other  quality,  both  at  home  and  abroad: 
Already  a considerable  amount  of  capital  has  been  adventured  in- manufactur- 
ing not  only  cotton,  but  cloths  of  wool  and  cotton  mixed,  which  can  be  sold- 
as  cheaply  as  any  in  the  market,  and  pay  a handsome  profit.  Our  citizens, 
and  especially  our  planters,  ought  to  encourage  such  investments,  by  making, 
it  a point  to  give  the  preference,  where  the  price  and  quality  are  the  same,  to 
our  own  manufactures.  And  this  I believe  is  all  they  require  to  be  firmly 
established,  and  to  become  of  vast  importance  in  the  approaching  distribution 
of  the  Capital  and  Industry  of  the  State. 

Next  to  Short  Staple  cotton,  and  perhaps  hardware,  and  not  far  behind 


190 


AGRICULTURAL 


either,  leather  is  the  most  important  article  of  traffic.  The  consumption  of 
the  various  brunches  of  its  manufacture  in  South  Carolina,  cannot  fall  short 
of  millions  of  dollars,  and  it  is  probable  that  four  fifths  of  this  sum  goes 
abroad  for  the  purchase  of  it.  We  can  now  furnish  almost  an  adequate  sup- 
ply of  the  raw  hides  for  this  consumption,  and  in  a few  years  will  furnish 
vastly  more.  The  chief  materials  for  tanning  are  every  where  at  hand,  and 
the  process  is  one  of  the  most  simple  in  the  whole  range  of  useful  arts.  Nor 
is  that  of  manufacturing  a large  proportion  of  the  articles  into  which  it  is 
made  for  our  use,  much  more  difficult.  But  the  leather  once  prepared  in  suf- 
ficient quantities,  we  should  soon  find  an  abundance  of  the  best  mechanics  on 
the  spot,  and  thus  save  to  ourselves  the  whole  sum. 

But  it  is  not  alone  by  the  amount  of  money  which  would  be  saved  to  us, 
by  making  and  manufacturing  our  own  leather,  or  by  cotton  factories  or  iron- 
works, nor  even  by  the  foreign  commerce  they  might  ultimately  give  us,  that 
we  should  be  benefitted.  Although  it  is  a false  principle  in  legislation  that 
manufacturing  should  be  forced  upon  a country  by  protecting  duties  injurious 
to  other  interests,  there  cannot  be  a doubt  that  where  it  grows  up  spontane- 
ously, it  is  a great  blessing.  It  makes  an  immense  difference  in  the  prosper- 
ity of  any  people,  and  especially  of  an  agricultural  people,  whether  their 
workshops  are  at  home  or  in  other  countries.  Not  only  are  they  freed  from 
heavy  taxation  in  the  shape  of  commissions,  freights  and  tariffs,  but  the 
mechanic  classes  are  valuable  consumers  of  agricultural  produce.  They 
consume,  too,  the  productions  of  one  another.  They  add  vastly  to  the  nerve 
and  sinew  of  the  body  politic.  And  when  united  in  the  same  community 
with  a class  of  industrious  and  enlightened  agriculturalists,  they  mutually 
enrich  and  strengthen  one  enother.  It  is  this  union  which  lv  s made  Great 
Britain  what  she  is,  and  will,  I trust,  at  no  distant  future,  shed  its  happy  influ- 
ences over  our  southern  country. 

I have  thus  endeavored,  as  briefly  as  the  occasion  demanded,  and  much 
more  so  than  is  due  to  the  importance  of  the  subject,  to  present  a view  of  the 
fu'ure  agricultural  prospects  of  our  State  ; and  have  pointed  out  a few  of  the 
resources  we  possess  against  the  impending  failure  of  our  Great  Staple. 
Although  1 cannot  but  sincerely  regret  many  of  the  consequences,  both  im  i e- 
diate  and  remove,  which  that  failure  is  likely  to  produce,  I trust  I have  shewn 
that  we  have  no  reason  to  indulge  in  gloomy  apprehensions.  A kind  Provi- 
dence has  cast  our  destiny  in  a land  over  which  its  choicest  blessings  have 
been  scattered  with  profusion,  and  it  is  not,  after  all,  the  result  so  much  as  the 
process  of  the  agricultural  revolution  I anticipate  that  we  have  to  dread.  To 
shew  this  fact  more  clearly,  allow  me,  before  concluding,  to  present  one  other 
view  of  this  important  question. 

I have  estimated  the  consumption  in  our  State  of  iron,  (not  including  cut- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


191 


lery)  provisions,  stock,  and  the  different  manufactures  of  leather,  for  all  of 
which  we  send  our  money  abroad,  at  about  6 millions  of  dollars  per  annum. 
Forcoaise  cotton  and  woolen  cloths,  and  for  salt,  not  to  mention  wines,  silks 
or  any  other  than  articles  of  prime  necessity  ; we  may  add  at  least  2 millions 
of  dollars  more,  making  an  aggregate  yearly  expenditure  abroad  of  8 mil- 
lions  of  dollars — all  of  which  might,  in  a short  time,  be  retained  among  us, 
and  appropriated  to  rewarding  the  enterprise  and  skill  and  industry  of  our  own 
citizens.  Now  it  certainly  would  not  be  too  low  an  estimate  to  place  the 
Short  Staple  crop  of  South  Carolina  at  80.00^,000  lbs.  net.  This,  at  10 
cents  in  the  hands  of  the  producer,  or  1 1 to  12  cents  in  the  market — which 
is  about  the  average  of  prices  for  the  last  15  years,  and  far  above  the  proba- 
ble average  of  the  next  15— will  give  8 millions  o(  dollars  as  the  value  of 
our  whole  crop,  or  just  about  the  amount  we  expend  for  the  few  articles  I have 
mentioned.  If,  then,  we  lose  the  one  and  save  the  other,  our  pecuniary  con- 
dition on  the  whole,  will  not  be  worse  than  it  now  is,  when  the  change  has 
been  effected.  That  I am  not  greatly  deceived  in  this  calculation,  is  made 
manifest  by  the  fact,  that  notwithstanding  our  large  export  of  Rice  and  Sea- 
Island  cotton,  as  well  as  other  productions  of  less  note,  in  addition  of  our 
Short  Staple  crop,  still  the  exchanges  between  our  cities  and  the  great  points 
of  trade  in  Europe  and  at  the  North,  have  invariably  ran  against  us  : shewing 
that  in  the  aggregate  our  purchases  are  larger  than  our  sales,  and  'hat  appa- 
rently we  should  be  better  off,  if  we  did  not  buy  nor  sell  at  all  in  foreign 
markets.  And  although  a minute  investigation  into  the  channels  of  trade 
would  doubtless  show  that  all  the  indebtedness  abroad  has  not  been  incurred 
by  our  cities,  wholly  on  our  whole  account,  there  can  be  little  question  tint 
the  foreign  expenditure  of  our  State,  for  articles  which  can  be  well  produced 
within  her  limits,  more  than  exceeds  the  value  of  her  present  Short  Staple 
crop,  even  at  the  average  of  past  prices.  If  this  be  so,  we  may  indulge  the 
confident  assurance  that  we  can  overcome  every  difficulty  of  a pecuniary 
character  at  least,  which  the  loss  of  that  crop  may  occasion,  by  economy  and 
industry,  and  especially  by  early  and  judicious  preparation  for  the  event. 
What  I chiefly  fear  is,  that  a large  portion  of  our  people,  unconvinced  of  the 
importance  of  such  preparation — yielding  to  the  force  of  habit — refusing  “ to 
think  too  closely  on  the  event,'’  or  if  they  think,  led  to  rely  too  much  on  the 
apparently  increasing  vicissitudes  of  tiie  southern  climate:  the  progress  of 

the  army  worm,  and  the  embarrassed  condition  of  the  new  cotton  countries 

will  continue  still  to  do  pretty  much  as  they  have  been  doing  heretofore. 
Some,  I hope, however,  will  be  alive  to  the  real  exigencies  of  the  times,  and 
ready  to  make  the  efforts  which  are  requisite  to  meet  them.  On  these  will 
devolve  the  momentous  task  of  laying  anew  the  foundations  of  our  prosperity, 
and  teaching  our  fellow  citizens,  by  successful  example,  that  there  are  vet 
rich  harvests,  which  persevering  enterprise  and  energy  may  reap. 


- 

' 

; 

: 

: 

* 


- - 


~ 


AN  AGRICULTURAL  ADDRESS, 


B¥  JOHN  BELTON  O'SEALL, 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY,  29TH  DEC..  1342. 


Fellow  Members : — Circumstances  beyond  my  control  have  prevented  me 
from  bestowing  that  preparation  upon  the  address,  with  which  you  charged 
me,  which  I desired  to  give  it,  and  which  it  merited  to  receive.  Rather,  how- 
ever, than  wholly  fail  in  the  discharge  of  a duty  assigned  to  me,  the  work  of  a 
few  hours,  naked  and  unadorned,  is  presented  to  you. 

In  approaching  the  consideration  of  agriculture,  the -mind  naturally  turns 
back,  and  asks  what  is  its  origin  ? It  is  coeval  with  man  himself!  His  first 
position  of  primeval  innocence  and  happiness  was  to  dress  and  keep  the  gar- 
den of  Eden.  In  this  is  manifested  the  divine  appointment,  that  in  tilling  the 
earth  is  to  be  found  man’s  best  and  happiest  employment. 

When  man  was  tempted,  fell,  and  was  banished  from  the  garden,  the  curse 
of  God  was  not  one  of  unmitigated  severity.  There  was  not  only  the  hope 
of  happiness  beyond  the  grave,  to  console  the  erring  father  of  men,  but  also 
the  assurance  of  an  abundance  to  sustain  this  present  life,  to  be  obtained  bv 
labor  well  and  properly  applied.  “ In  the  sweat  af  thy  face  shall  thou  eat 
bread,”  was  the  announcement  of  his  future' destiny,  and  that  of  bis  mate  ; and 
when  it  has  been  well  and  faithfully  obeyed,  by  industrious  occupation,  it  has 
not  only  blessed  individuals,  but  nations.  Indeed,  in  all  ages  of  the  world, 
national  prosperity  has  depended  upon  the  state  of  agriculture.  Where  it 
has  flourished,  every  thing  else  has  also  flourished.  The  palmiest  days  of  the 
eastern  world,  were  those  when  her  soil  was  cultivated  like  a garden;  when 
Egypt  could  point  to  her  whole  surface,  as  a field  of  waving  corn,  irrigated 
by  the  waters  of  the  Nile;  when  Syria  could  look  as  well  upon  her  plains, 
teeming  with  luxuriance,  as  her  terraced  mountains,  crowned  with  the  labor- 
of  man;  and  when  Italy  could  sit  down  in  the  midst  of  her  vineyards,  and 
her  fields,  and  from  her  cornucopia  pour  their  rich  reward  into  t!  e lap  of  the 
laboring  husbandman. 

It  is  not,  however,  its  only  general  benefit,  that  it  contributes  to  national 
prosperity,  f have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  it  is  the  only  rock  on  which 
13 


194 


AG Ki CULTURAL 


a nation  can  build,  in  the  hope  of  more  than  an  ephemeral  existence,  tier: 
reasoning,  is  unimportant,  lei  fuels  speak. 

Where  are  the  great  merchant  cities  of  Tyre  and  Sidon?  They  are  rocks 
on  which  fishermen  dry  their  nets  ! Where  is  Babylon  1 She  has  perished  f 
Where  is  Palmyra  ? Covered,  with  all  her  glories,  in  the  sands  ot  tire  desert  1 
Where  is  Thebes,  with  her  hundred  gates?  She  “ was  and  is  not,”  is  the 
answer  of  history.  Egypt;  the  victim  of  tyranny  and  misrule  under  her 
Coptic,  Grecian,  Roman  and  Mohomedan  rulers,  still  knows  her  “ years  of 
plenty and  by  her  agricultural  riches,-  has  enabled  her  tyrant  to  breast  the 
proud  domination  of  his  own  master. 

Syria,  trodden  under  foot  by  men  who  are  more  merciless  than  the  beasts 
of  the  forest,  can  still  point  to  spots  of  her  soil,  which  know  the  husbandman's 
care  and  culture,  and  which  bring  forth  abui  dar.tly  ;•  and  to  her  mountain 
fastnesses  for  that  free  spirit,  which  was  bom,  nurtured  and  bred  in  the  pure 
air  of  the  cultivated  fields, and  vvhieh,  in  its  manhood’s  prime,  is  yet  to  burst, 
as  if  they  were  t!»f  low,  the  chains  of  Turkish  slavery,  and  to  clothe  her  again 
with  that  luxuriance  which  denoted  her  as  a ‘Hand  flowing  with  milk  and- 
honey.” 

China,  with  her  millions  upon  millions,  on  land  and  water,  the  oldest  nation 
of  the  world,  has  been  alone  sustained  by  her  agriculture  \ for  her  commerce 
is  only  the  privilege  of  a few,  and  has  neither  fed  nor  clothed  the  great  body 
or’  her  people.  When,  at  this  moment,  England  is  thundering  at  her  gates 
for  the  purpose  of  compelling  her  to  pursue  an  unholy  irafe,  her  only  safety 
is  in  the  immense  masses  of  her  people,  and  their  capability  of  providing 
food  for  themselves,  and  thus  overcoming,  by  patient  endurance,  a cruel  and 
unjust,  war. 

Continental  Europe,  ravaged  as  she  has  been  by  the  armies  of  England^ 
France,  Austria,  Russia  and  Prussia,- points  to  her  laboring  peasantry,  and  in 
’he  language,  of  Goldsmith,  exclaims, 

« Princes  arid  lords  riiay  tfotfiisi)  and  may  lade, 

A-  breath-  can  make  thetn.-and  a brealh  has  made'' 

But  a hoW  peasantry  and  a nation’s  pride. 

When  onoe  destroyed,  can  never  be  supplied.” 

Her  agriculture  has  sustained-  her  tottering  thrones-,  and  nor  people  cut 
down,  and  apparently  annihilatcd^hatc  sprung  up  again,  like  the  armed  men 
of  Cadmus,  ai  her  bidding.  But  her  merchant  cities  have  not  been  equally 
successful.  Venice,  stript  of  her  gorgeous  robes,- is  no  longer  the  pride  of 
the  Adriatic!  Hhe  has  not  utterly  perished,  like  Tad; nor  of  the  wilderness, 
or  Bozrah ; but  Iter  canals  and  her  store-houses  are  no  longer  thronged  and 
felled  by  the  trade  of  the  world. 

England,  on  whose  dominions  the  sun  never  sets,  has’  attained  her  proud 


PROCEEDINGS. 


195 


eminence  more  by  her  agricultural  resources  than  in  any  other  way.  True., 
her  commerce  has  whitened  every  sea,  and  every  breeze  has  borne  to  her 
untold  treasure,  still  the  results  of  almost  every  foot  of  her  surface,  tilled  by 
experienced  o.tid  skillful  agriculturists,  have  furnished  the  means  which  equip- 
ped and  sent  forth  her  gallant  barques  to  every  clime.  This  too.  has  been  the 
case  when  her  agriculture  has  been  fettered  by  unwise  legislation,  and  when 
that  unholy  principle  which  devote?  the  many  to  the  service  of  the  few  has 
been  enforced. 

In  America,  the  forests,  the  soil,  and  the  luxuriant  productions  which  a 
little  labor  can  secure,  all  unite  in  recommending  agriculture  to  us  as  our  first, 
greatest  and  best  pursuit;  yet  how  little  heed  has  heretofore  been  paid  to 
skilful  husbandry?  Of  laic,  it  is  true,  so  much  has  been  said,  and  well  said, 
to  recommend  it  to  the  respectful  consideration  of  every  one,  that  little  remains, 
which  can  be  considered  new  or  interesting.  Still,  notwithstanding  this, 
Agriculture,  with  us  in  South  Carolina,  is  a neglected  science,  with  few  real 
followers,  and  with  scarcely  one  capable  of  teaching  its  simplest  elements. 
Other  sciences  are  crowded  and  traced  out,  and  pursued  to  their  most  legiti- 
mate results.  The  earth,  in  the  mean  time,  like  an  indulgent  mother,  is 
treated  with  constant  neglect.  She  flings  her  treasures  into  the  lap  of  improv- 
ident husbandry,  which  in  return  leaves  her  bosom  to  be  furrowed  deeper  and 
deeper,  by  the  rains  and  frosts  and  snows  of  winter.  In  a few  years,  she  is 
clothed  with  the  sere  and  yellow  garments  of  sterility,  and  the  occupant  seeks 
some  other  genial  spot  on  which  he  can  plant,  and  from  which  he  can  gather 
abundance,  until  exhausted  nature  sinks  into  repose  and  barrenness.  This  is 
no  fancy  sketch,  it  is  the  result  of  practical  husbandry,  as  carried  out  in  the 
cotton  planting  States,  and  especially  in  South  Carolina.  Is  this  the  neces- 
sary result?  Science,  knowledge,  practical  skill,  enlightened  as  it  should  be, 
answer  no!  The  cultivation  of  the  earth,  with  rotations  of  crops,  and  inter, 
vals  of  rest,  is  just  as  practicable  in  the  cotton  growing  States,  as  it  is  else- 
where. Let  us  restrain  ourselves,  and  recollect,  that  less  land,  well  planted , 
well  manured  and  well  cultivated,  will  make  larger  results,  than  large  quanti- 
ties,  badly  pla  ited,  unaided  by  manure  and  imperfectly  cultivated.  Cotton 
land,  as  leyel  as  can  be  selected,  can  be  more  easily  preserved.  If  none 
other  than  rolling  land  can  be  procured,  then  horizontal  ploughing  and  ditch- 
ing will  do  much  to  save  it.  But  that  policy,  which  leaves  the  cotton  beds  and 
furrbws  to  stand  during  the  winter,  will  soon  prove  how  disastrous  it  is,  by 
precipitating  the  rich  loam  of  the  hill  sides  into  the  valleys  below.  How 
much  wisdom  would  there  be, in  ploughing  against  and  around  the  whole,  sur- 
face of  a cotton  field,  as  soon  as  the  crop  was  gathered.  The  soil  would  thus 
be  saved,  and  the  land  would  he  in  better  heart  for  the  succeeding  crop. 
Some  of  the  formerly  rich  hills  of  the  Catawba  and  Broad  River,  are  m>w 


19  6 


AGRICULTURAL 


seamed  with  gullies,  and  surmounted  with  irremediable  barrenness.  The 
traveller  would  ask  how  has  this  happened  1 The  answer  is  before  us,  in  the 
cultivation  which  our  ancestors  followed,  and  which  we  are  still  pursuing. 

In  the  level  lands  of  the  middle  and  iower  country,  there  is  no  excuse  for  the 
sterility  which  abounds.  Nature  has  here  lavishly  provided  for  the  wants  of 
man,  in  the  teeming  luxuriance  which  greets'his  efforts,  but  he  forgets  that  the 
earth,  like  man,  may  become  worn  out,  by  being  overtasked.  The  remedy  is  at 
hand,  manure:  and  in  most  sections,  marl  abounds;  it  is  only  necessary  to 
seek  and  apply  it,  and  the  earth  exchanges  old  age  and  sterility  for  youth  and 
abundance.  In  the  upper  districts,  this  last  advantage,  so  far  as  we  have 
been  able  to  examine,  does  not  exist;  still,  in  many  parts  of  tiie  country, 
inexhaustible  beds  of  Jimcstone  are  found.  In  "Laurens  district,  on  Raburn’s 
Creek,  9 miles  South  West  of  Laurens  C.  II.  on  the  plantation  of  John  S. 
J imes,  Esq.,  is  a most  extensive  quarry  of  fine  limestone,  of  very  much  the 
same  ch  trader  with  that  at  the  Limestone  Springs,  in  Spartanburg  district. 
It  is  in  a fine  section  for  Agriculture.  The  lands  are  rich  loam  or  red  clav. 
The  lime  in  their  very  midst,  will  make  them  richer  and  more  productive  than 
They  ever  were.  For  wheat,  the  land  of  that  neighborhood  is  as  well,  if  not 
better,  adapted,  than  any  with  which  I am  acquainted,  and  if  the  lime,  which 
is  so  accessible  to  their  owners,  was  well  applied,  it  would  make  them  pro- 
duce some  thirty,  some  sixty,  and  some  an  hunered  fold.  The  same  vein 
running  from  North  East  to  South  W est,  is  found  at  the  Limestone  Springs,  and 
through  the  whole  region  from  Broad  River  to  King:s  mountain.  What  fer- 
tility might  he  given  to  the  thin  and  comparatively  barren  soils  of  this  whole 
region,  by  the  judicious  application  of  the  mineral  treasure  in  her  bosom  ! 
In  the  hands  of  New  England  enterprize,  it  would  be  as  a garden.  Why 
not  so  in  ours  ? Simply,  because  necessity  has  not,  as  yet,  taught  us  the  value 
of  assisting  nature,  in  her  attempts  to  bless  us. 

That  there  is  a better  prospect  ahead,  is  evidenced  by  the  great  interest 
beginning  to  he  felt  by  jFar,/iers  in  Agricultural  Societies.  They  are  no 
longer  left  to  be  managed  by  lawyer.-,  doctors,  clergymen,  and  educated  men 
alone.  The  tillers  of  the  earth,  that  noble  yeomanry , who  earn  their  daily 
bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  brows,  are  members,  and  are  bringing  to  theory 
and  book-farming , all  the  aids  of  practical  husbandry.  The  two  united  are 
what  we  want.  In  the  exchange  of  ideas  thus  with  one  another,  and  the  cor- 
rection of  faults  by  experience,  we  may  hope  that  every  year  is  doing  some- 
thing to  bet  eat  the  State. 

One  great  object  to  be  attained  is,  to  arres’*nnd  prevent  that  disastrous 
spirit  of  migration,  which,  in  twelve  years,  has  carried  from  us  one  third  o 
our  wealth  and  population.  Like  the  discoverers  of  America,  “gold,  more 
• gold,”  has  been  the  unceasing  demand  of  our  people.  When  South  Caro- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


197 


lina  vieldcd  i early  $300  for  every  laborer,  still  it  was  not  enough  ; ar.d  like 
the  Indian,  pointing  his  Spanish  conquerors  to  the  interior  for  the  richer  mines, 
so  cupidity  pointed  our  people  to  the  richer  fields  and  prairies  of  the  south- 
west, as  more  and  more  productive.  There  they  expected  to  find  the  el 
dorado,  but  the  chase  has  been  in  vain  ; and  the  conviction  is  beginning  to 
roll  back  upon  us,  that  we  need  no  better  country  than  our  own  cherished 
home,  pur  own,  our  native  State,  South  Carolina,  if  we  will  bring  to  her  ser- 
vice all  the  aids  of  enterprize,  industry  and  intelligence,  which  we  possess. 
Contemplate  the  scene  around  us,  and  we  may  well  ask,  is  there,  in  these 
times  of  disaster,  trial  and  difficulty,  an)  portion  of  the  world  better  off  than 
South  Carolina?  None!  Here  distress  is  partial ; in  the  other  States  of  the 
Union,  (except  North  Carolina,)  it  is  universal  and  overwhelming.  How  is  it 
so?  South  Carolina  has  neglected  her  agricultural  resources  ; crippled  her- 
self in  many  vain  and  visionary  undertakings;  still  she  had  but  “to  arise  and 
shake  herself  as  she  was  wont,”  and  all  was  well.  Whence  this  comparative 
prosperity?  Tho  answer  is,  our  faith  has  been  kept;  our  credit  has  been 
preserved  ; our  cotton  bags  and  our  barrels  of  rice  have  annually  met  the 
demands  upon  us  ! This  comparatively  happy  and  blessed  condition  demands 
unceasing  gratitude  to  the  Great  Giver  of  every  good,  who  has  blessed  us 
with  plenty,  and  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  our  rulers  to  rule  with  honesty  and 
govern  with  wisdom  ! This  has  been  especially  and  signally  the  case  with 
your  moneyed  institutions,  your  banks.  While  in  all  other  quarters,  explo- 
sion has  followed  explosion,  fraud  has  succeeded  fraud,  here  bills  have  main- 
tained a specie  value,  and  no  one  has  supposed  that  mismanagement  or  fraud 
mingled  in  the  management  of  a single  bank  in  South  Carolina.  That  much 
of  our  prosperity  is  to  be  ascribed  to  this  fact,  cannot  be  ^denied  ; and  if 
South  Carolinians  ought  to  be  prouder  of  one  thing  than  another,  it  is  that 
her  sons  have  passed  the  ordeal  of  bank  temptations,  unsuspected,  uncor- 
rupted. 

This  contemplation,  this  reflection,  this  comparison  of  ourselves  with  our 
neighbors,  is  surely  enough  to  prevent  the  further  spread  of  the  spirit  of  emi- 
gration. Let  each  citizen  of  the  State  come  to  this  conclusion,  “South  Car- 
olina is  my  home,  I will  do  her  and  myself  all  the  good  I can,”  and  he  will 
find,  in  the  language  of  an  curly  settler  of  the  State,  “ South  Carolina  is  the 
garden  spot  of  the  world.”  This  may  be  said  to  be  an  extravagant  view  of 
the  matter.  Test  it  in  any  way  you  please,  and  it  will  be  found  to  have  no 
romance  in  it. 

There  is  an  old  proverb,  that  “ a rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss.”  Just  so 
it  is  with  the  emigrant.  He  is  rolling  on  to  his  fancied  treasury  of  abundance, 
but  all  is  nakedness  around  him,  and  in  his  track.  He  may  at  last  rest,  and 
gather  together,  in  a country  to  which  he  is  a stranger,  great  abundance. 
He  still  looks  back  to  the  land  out  of  which  he  came,  and  remembers  it  with 


198 


AGRICULTURAL 


regret.  He  who  is  content  to  remain  in  permanent  and  useful  fixtures,  estab- 
lishes his  comfort,  and  in  constant  attention  to  his  land,  in  crops,  and  by  the 
judicious  application  of  manures,  overcomes  even  barrenness,  and  in  the 
increased  product,  he  finds  at  home  that  abundance  which  the  richer  fields  of 
the  south-west  promised  him.  That  this  could  be  proved  by  many  instances, 
I may  refer  to  each  member’s  knowledge  of  the  events  which  have  trans- 
pired arourd  him  wilhin  the  last  twelve  years. 

Are  not,  fellow-members,  these  considerations,  to  which  your  attention  has 
been  turned,  enough  to  make  you  redouble  the  interest  which,  as  agricultu- 
rists, you  feel  in  the  State  in  which  you  live?  Improvement  is  our  motive  and 
object.  Therefore  it  is  we  meet  here  annually,  that  by  a free  intercourse 
from  the  mountains  to  the  sea-board  we  may  gather  the  lessons  of  experi- 
ence, and  bind  them  upon  our  hearts,  and  go  forth  to  test  them  in  the  labors 
of  the  coming  year.  In  this  way,  much  good  is  done,  and  we  may  begin  soon 
to  flatter  ourselves  that  we  will  have  something  like  an  agriculture  < f our  own. 

This,  however,  demands,  what  we  have  not,  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  an 
educated  class  of  husbandmen.  When  I say  educated,  I do  not  mean  “book 
learned  farmers I mean  men  thoroughly  trained  to  their  business.  The 
great  fault  of  education  in  South  Carolina  is,  that  it  has  no  particular  appli- 
cation. The  clergyman,  the  lawyer,  the  physician,  the  merchant,  the  me- 
chanic, and  the  farmer,  are  all  educated  alike.  The  mere  statement  oi  the 
fact  shews  the  defect,  flow  is  it  to  be  remedied  ? We  have  not  schools 
arranged  for  every  department  of  life,  and  perhaps  such  are  not  always  dtsi- 
ruble.  But  with  suitable  attention  on  the  part  of  parents  and  guardians,  edu- 
cation might  be  so  directed  as  to  fit  a man  for  his  business,  instead  of  making 
him  a prodigy  of  learning,  without  one  particle  of  ccmmon  sense.  The  future 
farmer  and  planter  needs  but  the  careful  and  judic  ious  training  of  home,  to  be 
prepared  for  his  station.  In  early  life,  in  the  intervals  of  his  scholastic  edu- 
cation, if  his  mind  was  turned  to  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge  in  the 
management  of  a farm,  and  his  hands  were  trained  to  the  use  of  tools,  he 
would  insensibly  become  fit  to  be  the  head  of  a well  ordered  plantation.  The 
vices  and  diseases  resulting  from  idleness,  would  be  thus  prevented,  and  the 
young  men  of  South  Carolina,  instead  of  growing  up  in  the  shade,  and  liable 
to  be  withered  by  the  blighting  influence  of  a burning  summer’s  sun,  would 
grow  up  with  nerves  strung  by  moderate  toil,  and  be  men  capable  of  facing 
and  performing  their  duty.  This  preparation  will  not  unfit  the  young  mind 
for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge ; indeed,  it  will  increase  its  capabilities. 
Exercise,  with  an  object  to  be  attained,  blesses  with  the  “/news  sana  ??i  sano 
corpore."  To  such  an  one,  education  will  not  open  out  her  blooms  in  vain: 
he  will  pass  from  flower  to  flower,  and  from  each,  extract  that  which  is  good 
or  pleasant,  and  return  to  his  post  in  society,  laden  with  the  rich  and  varied 
treasures  of  useful  learning. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


199 


We  need,  too,  the  lessons  of  patience.  Promptness  is  a part  of  oar  southern 
character;  we  must  add  to  it  endurance,  before  wc  can  succeed  as  agricul- 
turists. Whatever  is  attempted  should  be  thoroughly  tried,  before  it  is  aban- 
doned. Many  of  the  schemes  to  which  our  attention  has  been  ot  late  turned, 
are,  no  doubt,  mere  humbugs.  Still  this  is  to  be  said — every  thing  may  be 
called  a humbug  until  its  utility  is  tested.  It  is  the  part  of  widom  to  try  every 
thing  which  bids  fair  to  profit  us;  and  one  trial  is  perhaps  never  enough — 
it  is  at  least  entitled  to  an  Irishman’s  privilege,  of  being  twice  heard.  This 
is  particularly  the  case  when  we  are  looking  around,  on  the  right  hand  and 
on  the  left,  for  the  substitute  for  our  great  failing  staple,  cotton.  Many  things 
must  be  tried ; but  it  will  be  in  vain  to  expect  any  to  take  its  place  at  once. 

Indeed,  it  seems  to  mo,  that  there  is  one  remedy,  and  only  one,  for  the  state 
•of  things  resulting  from  the  low  prices  of  co'ton;  it  consists  of  economy  at 
home  and  abroad.  If  we  could  bring  ourselves  down  to  the  standard  which 
the  present  price  of  cotton  presents,  ail  would  soon  be  well.  Buy  neither 
pork,  mules  nor  horses.  Let  these  be  the  product  of  the  farm,  and  one  branch 
of  our  present  difficulties  will  be  cut  off.  Carry  this  spirit  of  retrenchment 
into  the  household,  and  let  home  furnish  all  the  usual  supplies  of  clothing  for 
the  laborers,  and  hard  times  will  begin  to  be  good  times.  Real  independence, 
that  which  is  above  want,  will  occupy  every  farm,  i often  go  back  to  the 
•period  from  ISOS  to  1815,  when  legislators  were  not  ashamed  to  meet  ir 
homespun,  when  ladies  vied  with  each  other,  not  in  the  luxury  of  foreign 
dresses,  but  in  those  made  at  home,  and  ask  when  was  South  Carolina  more 
happy?  Never,  within  my  knowledge.  Does  this  time  demand  similar  sac- 
rifices ? Your  own  sense  of  the  necessity  around  you,  must  answer  the  question. 

Of  one  thing  there  is  no  doubt,  the  capabilities  of  the  State  are  hardly  known. 
Her  Agriculture  is  in  its  infancy.  She  is  just  pluming  herself  for  a loftier 
•flight  than  any  she  has  ever  before  attempted.  Our  fields  are  to  be  cultivated 
with  more  skill;  better  and  more  numerous  stocks  are  to  be  reared ; South 
•Carolina  is  to  become  less  a planting  and  more  a farming  State.  That  this 
will  add  to  her  greatness  and  her  happiness  eannot  be  denied.  In  this  effort 
she  has,  it  is  true,  one  peculiar  difficulty  to  encounter,  in  the  carelessness  of 
her  operatives.  Still,  our  slaves  are  capable  of  more,  much  more,  than  we 
have  hitherto  had  credit  for.  It  is  only  necessary  that  they  should  be  taught 
habits  of  regularity,  economy,  and  thrift,  to  make  them  the  most  effective 
laborers  in  the  world.  This  is  what  we  are  attempting.  Let.  the  owner  be 
resident,  as  far  as  practicable,  on  his  plantation;  and  let  him  understand  well 
that  which  he  is  about  carrying  out.  Let  his  slaves  be  taught  that  his  inter- 
ests are  their  interests.  Begin  with  small  things,  and  teach  them  the  neces- 
sity of  attention.  For  instance,  teach  them  the  absolute  necessity  of  shutting 
■a  gate,  or  putting  up  a rail  when  out  of  its  plaee  ; of  earefuily  feeding  and 
watering  the  stack  under  their  care;  and  there  will  not  be  much  complaint 


500 


AGRICULTURAL 


about  negro  carelessness.  When  this  much  is  accomplished,  the  whole  diffi- 
culty is  overcome,  and  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  a South  Carolina  farmer 
from  competing  with  any  one  in  any  of  the  adjoining  States.  To  my  brother 
farmers,  intelligent  and  experienced  as  you  are,  I need  not  add,  you  cannot 
succeed  with  negroes,  as  operatives,  as  you  desire  to  do,  unless  you  feed  and 
clothe  well.  Make  them  contented,  and  then  l:  Massa”  will  be,  as  he  ought 
to  be,  the  whole  world  to  them. 

In  our  climate,  health  is  supposed  to  be  uncertain,  and  this  fact  will 
always  stand  very  much  in  the  way  ol  agricultural  improvement.  The  diffi- 
culty exists,  and  in  the  lower  part  of  the  State  is,  beyond  all  doubt,  a great 
obstacle  to  improvement.  Still,  it  is  not  insuperable,  even  there.  For  Nature, 
kind  and  provident  as  she  always  is,  has  provided  pine  lands  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  rich  swamp  lands,  where  the  owners  can  reside  in  comparative 
safety.  In  the  interior,  of  late  years,  we.  have.bren  scourged  with  disease, 
even  to  the  foot  of  our  majestic  mountains.  That  it  lias  visited  us  as  a pes- 
tilence, and  as  a chastisement  for  our  sins,  is,  beyond  all  doubt,  the  true  Chris, 
lian  view  of  the  matter.  Still  it  is  our  duty,  as  far  as  we  have  the  knowledge 
or  the  means,  to  remove  the  secondary  causes.  In  a country  like  ours,  under- 
going the  process  of  having  the  forest  annually  cleared  away,  it  is  to  be 
expected  that  many  causes  of  disease  will  thus  he  produced.  The  hill-sides 
cleared,  and  the  ravines  tilled  up  with  t he  timber  cut  down  from  above,  and 
afterwards  with  the  alluvial  from  the  cultivated  hill-sides,  cannot  do  otherwise 
than  produce  disease.  So,  too,  where  streams  or  spiingsare  choked  or  cov- 
ered  up,  the  neighborhood  must  expect  the  fall  fever.  These  causes  may 
easily  he  removed,  by  ditching,  draining,  and  cutting  away  the  drifts.  But 
the  annual  decomposition  of  the  leaves  in  oak  and  hickory  land,  with  the 
decaying  timber  allowed  to  lie  and  rot  upon  the  ground,  will  produce  disease, 
especially  in  wet  summers.  The  remedy  for  this  was  suggested  by  the  intel- 
gent  foreman  of  the  Grand  Jury  of  York  District,  at  the  last  Fall  Term,  (M  r. 
John  Springs.)  “ Burn  the  woods.”  Let  this  be  done  early  in  the  season, 
before  the  sap  begins  to  run,  and  no  injury  will  occur  to  the  timber.  But 
some  suppose  the  soil  will  be  injured  ; intelligent  observing  men,  on  the  con- 
trary, believe  that  the  ashes  of  the  leaves  are  worth  more  to  the  land  than 
their  natural  decomposition  ; and,  so  far  as  5 have  had  experience,  I aVn  satis- 
fied  their  views  are  correct.  If,  however,  there  was  a doubt  about  it,  health 
is  of  too  much  importance  to  he  weighed  against  such  a consideration.  In 
York  District,  during  the  last  season,  from  300  to  400  of  the  inhabitants  were 
gathered  to  their  fathers.  What  an  awful  mortality!  How  important  if 
practicable,  to  counteract  it,  and  prevent  its  recurrence  ! A country  visited 
annually  with  fever,  never  can  improve  in  that  ratio  in  which  it  would  without 
it.  It  is  our  duty,  therefore,  to  make  every  effort  we  can  to  restore  the  State 
to  health. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


201 


Mach  will  depend  upon  habits  of  regularity  in  every  thing;  and  temper- 
ance in  eating  and  drinking  is  essential  to  health.  To  farmers,  men  who  are 
exposed  to  the  vertical  rays  of  our  summer’s  sun,  this  advice  cannot  be  too 
often  repeated.  Good,  pure  cold  water,  I regard  as  essential  to  the  health  of 
laborers.  If  the  water  which  they  drink  is  impure,  it  is  in  vain  to  expect 
health  ; with  a little,  very  little  attention,  this  first  and  best  gift  to  man  can,  in 
all  places  be  secured. 

At  this  time,  much  depends  upon  pr-ipet  !y  developing  the  resources  of  every 
distiict.  If  marl  can  he  found  above  Orangeburg,  what  incalculable  benefits 
would  flow  from  the  discovery  to  every  place  where  it  might  be,  or  to  which  it 
might  be  accessible.  So,  too.  if  the  vein  of  limestone  which  is  seen  in  York, 
Spartanburgh,  and  Laurens,  could  be  traced  and  made  available  throughout 
its  whole,  course,  great  good  might  result  therefrom.  So,  too,  a careful  anal- 
ysis of  our  soils,  and  the  suggestions  of  science,  pointing  out  that  which  was 
wanting  to  restore  or  increase  their  fertility  would  be  a great  desideratum. 
In  many  sections  minerals  abound  ; their  knowledge  and  proper  classification 
would  contribute  much  to  the  wealth  of  the  State.  Paints,  asbestos,  fossils, 
and  clays  of  various  kinds,  and  of  great  value,  are  known  to  exist  in  the  State, 
and  still  no  one  can  say,  with  certainty,  anything  about  them. 

An  agricultural  survey  of  the  Slate,  in  some  way,  ought  to  he  obtained. 
’Whether  the  State  should  make  an  appropriation  for  this  subject,  is  a matter 
which  belongs  appropriately  to  her  representatives,  now  assembled,  and  not  to 
us.  One  thing  is,  however,  certain,  a small  sum  of  money  cou'J  not  be  better 
and  more  appropriately  applied.  It  might  be,  that  the  intelligent  gentleman 
who  fills  the  chemical  chair  of  the  South  Carolina  College,  could  he  induced 
to  devote  his  vacations,  fora  few  years,  to  this  purpose.  Nothing,  I am  sure, 
could  place  him  higher  in  the  good  opinion  of  the  people,  or  would  confer  a 
more  lasting  favor  on  South  Carolina,  than  such  a service. 

In  conclusion,  fellow  members,  permit  me  to  say,  that  the  work  in  which 
we  have  embarked  is  no  evanescent  affair.  It  is  for  life!  For  Agriculture 
is  that  upon  which  we  all  depend  for  subsistence.  To  it  we  often  look  as  so 
common  a thing  as  not  to  deserve  much  heed.  Hut  it  is  of  far  greater  im- 
portance than  any  thing  else  in  which  we  are  engaged.  Every  thing  else 
may  be  dispensed  with;  but  this  and  life  arc  so  intimately  blended,  that 
together  they  live,  or  together  they  perish.  With  one  mind  and  one  spirit, 
let  ns  press  the  work  in  which  we  are  engaged.  In  the  language  of  empiri- 
cism, it  may  do  us  good,  it  can  do  us  no  harm.  It  may  make  us  all  better 
farmers,  better  citizens  : but  better  patriots,  I hope  none  of  us  require  to  be. 
To  our  c mntry,  iu  one  way  or  another,  we  are  al1  devoted  ; and  to  our  court- 
try’s  welfare  let  us  all  cheerfully  contribute  eveiy  thing  we  can  to  increase 
and  bless  her ! 


. 

■ 

» 


✓ 


ANNIVERSARY  ADDRESS 


BY  COL.  WILLIAM  J.  TAYLOK. 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 
ON  THE  30th  OF  NOVEMBER,  1843. 


At  no  period  in  the  history  of  our  State,  has  the  planting  community  had 
greater  cause,  for  indulging  in  the  feelings  of  pride,  gratulation  and  triumph, 
than  the  present. 

The  crisis  through  which  we  have  lately  passed,  besetting  as  it  has  done, 
all  interests,  with  the  most  trying  difficulties  and  embarrassments,  loses  much 
of  its  severity,  so  far  as  we  as  a class  are  concerned,  when  we  reflect  upon 
the  increased  and  increasing  importance  which  it  mainly,  has  attached  to  our 
pursuit. 

In  the  halcyon  days  of  high  prices  and  prosperity,  when  mother  earth  was 
made  to  render  her  treasure  at  any  and  every  cost,  it  was  thought  sufficient 
to  constitute  a planter  to  be  the  owner  of  lands  and  slaves,  while  the  more 
important  and  by  far  the  most  interesting  and  honorable  part — the  care  and 
management  of  them — was  in  most  instances  turned  over  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  such  as  were  willing  and  not  too  proud  to  undertake  the  charge. 

The  error  of  this  practice  and  the  evils  growing  out  of  it,  though  they  have 
been  exposed  and  in  some  measure  corrected,  I am  induced  to  believe  still 
exist,  and  that  too  to  an  extent,  to  affect  injuriously  the  interests  ot  the  plant- 
er  and  the  character  of  his  pursuit ; objects  in  ray  opinion  of  paramount  im- 
portance, and  as  such  entitled  to  our  first  consideration. 

I deem  it  unnecessary  to  go  into  a detail  of  the  many  errors  and  evils 
which  bear  injuriously  upon  our  pursuit.  It  wid  be  enough  for  my  purpose 
to  point  out  the  leading  causes  and  sources  of  them,  and  particularly  such  as 
tend  to  impede  or  embarrass  our  improvement. 

I have  already  hinted  at  an  error — a source  of  much  evil,  to  which  I would 
again  advert,  as  its  correction  must  precede  the  establishment  of  an  im- 
proved system  of  Agriculture  among  us.  1 mean  the  practice  with  many 
employers  of  leaving  too  much  to  agents  or  overseers,  the  care  and  personal 
management  of  their  affairs,  than  which  there  cannot  be  a more  egregious  or 
fatal  error,  as  it  affects  alike  the  interests  or  profits  of  the  planter,  as  well  as 


204 


AGRICULTURAL 


the  character  of  his  pursuit : affecting  the  profits  in  the  diminished  production 
or  increased  cost  of  production  from  the;  want  of  that  care,  economy  and  ac-— 
countability,  which  result  from  the  close  supervision  of  the  employer  ; and  of- 
feeting  on  the  other  hand,  the  character  of  the  pursuit  in  the  opinion  induced, 
that  planting  is  rendered  a more  liberal,  respectable  and' honorable  employ- 
ment, when  made  secondary  and  subservient  to  their  pursuits  or  pleasures. 

I intend  no  disparagement  to  that  useful  and  valuable  class  of  citizens — 
our  overseers,  when  1 say,  that  the  co-operation  of  the  employer  is  indispen- 
sable to  the  improvement  and  ultimate  success  of  planting  here. 

We  must  bring  to  our  aid  science,  which  cannot  be  better  or  more  effectu- 
ally done  than  through  the  co-operation  of  the  intelligent  and  well  informed 
piun'er,  with  his  practical  and  observant  overseer.  It  would  be  thus  by  such 
co-operation  that  1 would  blend  theory  with  practice — the  book  knowledge 
of  the  employer  with  the  practical  knowledge  of  the  overseer. 

Although  the  public  mind  now,  appears  to  be  altogether  sound  and  correct 
upon  the  subject  of  Agriculture — its  claims  and  pretensions  to  popular  fa- 
vour ; yet  it  seems  to  me,  that  our  leading  and  influential  planters  might  ac- 
complish even  more  for  their  pursuit,  might  render  it  more  profitable  and 
fashionable,  and  procure  fur  it  that  honor  and  dignity  which  belong  to  its  an- 
tiquity  and  usefulness,  if  they  would  betake  themselves  more  earnestly  and 
zealously  to  its  improvement. 

If  other  inducements  be  wanting  over  and  above  those  which  belong  pe- 
culiarly to  our  pursuit. — If  the  pleasures  and  profits  of  Agriculture  be  in- 
sufficient to  excite  on  the  part  of  our  planters,  a more  lively  interest  in  her 
behalf,  there  is  yet  another  consideration,  of  a higher  and  more  ennobling 
character — Patriotism  itself — the  well  being  and  advancement  of  our  beloved 
country7,  demand  of  us  increased  interest  and  exertion  for  ihe  improvement 
of  her  chief  pursuit, — the  source  of  her  wealth,  her  embellishment  and  her 
prosperity. 

In  the  present  condition  of  our  State,  with  her  soil  exhausted  by  a most 
erroneous  and  wasteful  system  of  cultivation, — for  husbandry  it  cannot  be 
termed — her  people  generally  borne  heavily  upon  by  debt,  and  her  staple 
commodities  until  very  recently,  scarcely  repaying  the  cost  of  production,  it 
becomes  highly  necessary  for  us  to  be  more  careful  and  attentive  to  her  Ag- 
riculture. We  must  improve  it.  We  must  make  more  and  spend  less,  for 
it  will  only  be  by  care  and  attention,  by  improvement,  with  industry7  and 
economy,  that  we  shall  be  enabled,  effectually,  to  meet  our  engagements  and 
surmount  our  difficulties. 

Our  whole  country  suffering  from  her  financial  embarrassments  and  the  in. 
juries  which  she  has  sustained  from  bad  husbandry  and  the  ex  ravagant 
habits  of  her  people,  looks  to  her  Agriculture — to  the  cultivators  of  her  soil, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


205 


for  relief,  and  the  correction  of  those  errors  and  abuses  which  have  con- 
tributed to,  or  caused  such  embarrassments;  and  I doubt  not,  from  the  evi- 
dences— the  earnest  given,  that  they  will  come  fully  up  to  their  duty  ; for 
what,  would  I ask,  does  the  effort  to  establish  a National  Board  of  Agricul- 
ture, at  the  city  of  Washington,  indicate  ? — What,  the  existence  of  our  State 
Agricultural  Society  here,  and  our  District  Auxiliary  Societies  throughout  the 
' State,  with  the  increased  and  increasing  number  of  Agricultural  publica- 
tions, indicate,  but  such  a determination  ? 

The  next  source  of  evil  to  our  planting  interest,  to  which  I would  invite 
your  attention,  is  debt.  We  have  high  authority  for  regarding  the  practice 
amongst  planters  of  going  in  debt  as  an  error  of  the  first  magnitude,  affecting 
more  seriously,  perhaps,  the  interests  of  Agriculture,  its  improvement  and 
subsequent  profits,  than  almost  any  thing  else,  paralyzing  as  it  does  every 
disposition  to  improvement,  in  cowing  the  spirit,  cramping  the  energies,  and 
absorbing  the  means  which  prompt  and  e nable  us  to  undertake  and  conduct 
them. 

To  such  of  my  Agricultural  friends  who,  like  myself,  are  so  unfortunate  as 
to  he  in  debt,  1 would  say  yield  nothing  to  despondency, — arouse  every  ener- 
gy for  your  task,  and  work  through,  for  it  can  be  done;  hut  it  will  require 
time,  with  patient  and  persevering  industry,  retrenchment  of  all  luxuries,  and 
a just  economy  in  even  our  necessary  expenses,  to  accomplish  it.  To 
these,  our  honor  binds  us  to  submit.  Submit  therefore  cheerfully — your  task 
will  be  the  lighter,  and  you  will  the  sooner  free  yourselves  of  this  incubus,  and 
when  free,  let  me  conjure  you  as  patriots  and  philanthropists,  as  lovers  of 
your  families,  yourselves  and  your  pursuit, — of  independence  and  prosperity  , 
keep  free  ; and  go  in  for  the  pleasures  and  enjoyments  ot  your  pursuit,  which 
is  the  most  useful,  the  most  ancient,  and  the  most  honorable  of  human  em- 
ployments : and  there  is  none,  too,  the  practice  of  which  can  be  more  en- 
gaging, more  healthful  to  mind  and  body,  or  that  opens  the  heart  to  a truer 
perception  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  ot  our  benificent  Creator,  “ Omnium 
rerum  ex  quibus  aliquid  adquiratur,  nihil  est  Agricultura,  Melius,  nihii 
uberius,  nihil  homino  libero  digniu3,”  such  were  the  feelings  and  sentiments 
of  Cicero,  and  such  feeling  and  sentiments  should  take  root,  grow  and  flour- 
ish with  us,  for  as  a State  advances  in  the  Arts  and  Sciences,  in  civilization 
and  refinement,  so  should  she  in  the  appreciation  of  her  Agriculture,  for  it 
constitutes  literally,  the  ground  work  of  a nations  prosperity  and  indepen- 
dence. 

A third  error  and  source  of  evil  which  I would  biing  to  your  view,  is 
over  planting,  or  what,  in  plantation  parlance, rwe  term  planting  too  much  to 
the  hand.  This  is  almost  as  common  as  it  is  to  plant  itself;  and  what  is 
still  more  remarkable,  no  one,  1 think,  can  or  will  pretend  to  justify  it  upon 
the  ground  of  sound  principle  or  correct  practice  ; yet  it  is  continued,  and  I 


AGRICULTURAL 


see 

fear  will  bo  persisted  in,  so  lorg  os  overseers  are  allotted  to  pitcli  the  crops, 
and  employers  themselves,  continue  the  practice  of  going  in  debt ; for  both  in 
their  respective  situations,  will  be  disposed  to  speculate  upon  the  seasons,  the 
ovciseer  looking  to  the  reputation  which  lie  might  acquire  from  mukingn  large 
crop,  and  the  employer,  to  the  increased  available  means  which  it  would 
furnish  him,  would  over  plant  and  lake  the  chances  of  favourable  circurm 
stances  for  making  the  crop,  or  if  the  Worst  should  occur,  the  alternative  of 
driving  and  forcing  to  the  no  inconsiderable  injury  of  all  concerned,  the  ware 
and  tare  of  hands,  lands  and  mules,  and  the  total  neglect  of  all  minor  matters 
upon  a plantation  ; but  both  are  wrong,  the  one  in  supposing  that  he  will  ac- 
quire reputation,  and  Hu:  other  in  thinking  that  he  will  acquire  wealth  in 
such  a'way.  The  time  was,  when  an  overse  er’s  worth  would  have  depend* 
to  upott,  and  his  capacity  would  have  been  estimated  by  the  quantity  he 
might  produce,  hut  now  the  judicious  planter  will  look  to  the  quality  and  the 
cost  of  production,  and  value  his  overseer’s  services  according  to  his  savings, 
his  care  and  attention  to  all  the  details  of  plantation  economy  and  manage* 
haunt. 

The  employer  too,  will  permit  me  to  tell  him,  that  he  is  in  error,  that  lie 
is  pursuing  that  ruinous  policy  that  would  destroy  the  goose  for  the  golden 
eggs,  big  before  he  proceeds  too  far  and  should  realize  the  worst,  I trust  he 
will  he  prevailed  upon  to  mend  his  ways,  for  if  pursued,  they  must  inevitably 
lead  to  serious  injury,  if  not  ruin. 

In  condemning  oVer-pIanting,  l would  not  he  understood  to  advocate  or 
recommend  planting  ton  filth  to  the  hand,  the  reduction  must  of  course  be 
gradual,  the  planter  keeping  in  View  saving  crops  with  more  time  and  oppor 
tunity  for  repairs  and  all  necessary  improvements.  When  our  lands  arc 
sufficiently  improved,  1 think  thb  true  policy. of  the  Carolina  planter,  would 
then  be  to  plant  comparatively  a little  and  to  cultivate  that  little  well  : with 
the  system  carried  out,  I nm  satisfied,  from  my  observation  and  experience, 
that  we  can  onlv  compete  successfully  with  the  fertile  and  fresh  lands  of  the 
south-West,  by  the  strictest  attention  to  the  improvement  of  the  quality  of  onr 
productions,  with  proper  attention  to  which,  we  may  so  increase  their  value 
as  to  enable  us  to  maintain  ourselves  in  the  powerful  competition  which  we 
have  to  encounter. 

Another  error  and  source  of  evil  which  1 would  point  out,  is  the  disposi* 
lion  and  habit  of oUr  planters  to  involve  themselves  in  the  partisan  politics 
of  the  day.  The  practice,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  never  attended  with  pe- 
cuniary profit.  It  engrosses  the  mind  and  time,  from  where  it  might  and 
could  be  usefully  engaged,  and  is  often  attended  with  serious  inconvenience 
; n.l  injury  to  the  best  interests  of  Agriculture,  in  bieaking  in  upon  that  so. 
cial  intercourse  which  amongst  planters  is  a most  fruitful  source  of  improve* 


PfiaCtffifcljVGS. 


blent— !h  Interrupting  the  harmony  of  societies  and  destroyin';  tiie  unity  of 
feeling,  thought  and  action,  which  is  so  essential  to  their  usefulness  and 
ouccess, 

I hare  been  led  to  these  reflections,-  tinder  (he  conviction  (hat  we  afe  ali 
now,  of  the  same  political  persuasion  in  the  State,  agreeing  on  the  great 
principles,  a strife  for  which  alone  is  worthy  of  a ffeeman  ; and  therefore,  by 
abstaining  from  mere  contests  for  men  or  things  of  little  import,  without  los- 
ing a proper  interest  in  the  great  concerns  which  affect  our  Condition,  we 
may  devote  more  lime,  thought  and  service  to  that  Vital  interest,  Agriculture .- 
We  should  keep  in  mind  that  whoever  can  make  two  ears  of  corn  or  two 
blades  of  grass  to  grow  upon  a spot  of  ground  where  only  one  grew  before* 
would  deserve  better  of  mankind,  and  do  more  essential  service  to  his  coUiu 
try,  than  the  whole  race  of  politicians  put  together. 

To  politics)  in  that  enlarged  sense  Which  makes  it  the  science  of  Govern- 
ment, and  to  the  correct  administration  of  its  principles  and  policy,  no  free- 
man can  or  will  be  indifferent ; but  as  a mCfe  game,  the  playing  it,  best 
'3uits  OUr  public  functionaries  and  sUCh  gentlemen  of  leisure  whom  inclina- 
tion and  the  want  of  other  employment  and  the  pleasure  of  its  excitements 
lead  that  way.  They  arc  too  engrossing,  too  absorbing  for  men  in  business, 
especially  business  like  our  own  which  requires  unrelaxing  labour,  coi  fin- 
ned attention  and  persevering  effort,  where  much  is  intended  to  be  accouu 
[dished. 

I would  not  either,  draw  our  planters  entirely  froth  politics  ; they  have 
too  much  at  stake,  not  to  keep  a Watchful  eye  to  what  is  going  on  in  the 
political  world.  I think  it  would  be  well  too,  if  theV  fvould  take  greater 
interest  and  part  in  the  legislation  of  the  country,  but  they  should,  by  all 
means,  avoid  the  wild,  harrassing  and  maddening  contests  of  mere  (mrtizun 
politics.  Some  may  think  it  evinces  want  of  patriotism,  not  to  take  a deep 
interest  in  every  political  question  and  struggle  in  the  colintry  ; but  I must 
confess,  I think  otherwise,  and  would  regard  the  planter  who  devotes  himself 
to  the  improvement  of  his  pursuit,  to  the  development  of  the  Agricultural 
resources  of  his  State,  and  to  bringing  those  resources  into  play,  as  doing 
ninety-nine  times  in  a hundred,  fur  more  for  lief,  than  he  Could  in  anv  other 

t 

way— in  adding  to  the  Wealth,  the  greatness  and  the  happiness  of  her  people, 
—others  again,  whose  aspirations  lend  them  to  look  tonvnrd  to  honors  and 
offices,  may  think  they  too',  are  only  to  be  attained  through  a political  course  f 
but  they,  1 should  say,  afe  also  wrong.  For  I would  ask — Was  it  polities 
that  drew  Cincinnatus  from  Ids  plough,  or  our  Washington  from  his  farm, 
to  lead  the  destinies  of  their  country  ? You  will  ajl  answer  me  no  ! but  it  was 
that  good  o!d  fashioned,  that  Roman  patriotism,  which  was  not  confined  to  the 
Forum  and  Senate  alone,  but  was  to  be  found  in  its  greatest  purity  and  ex- 
cellence, at  the  homes,  by  the  firesides  of  the  people — the  tillers  of  the  soil. 


208 


AGRICULTURAL 


T1  ie  last  and  not  the  least  error  and  source  of  evil  which  ! will  bring  to  your 
notice  as  deserving  particular  attention  and  correction,  is  the  desire  and  eh 
fort  of  our  planters  to  make  large  cotton  crops  to  the  neglect  of  other  and 
more  important  matters  : the  quality  of  the  Cotton  made,  the  repairs  and  im- 
provements on  their  plantations,  the  introduction  of  other  crops — grass,  root 
and  grain — with  raising  stock  and  making  and  applying  manure. 

If  there  ever  was  a time  for  a change  in  our  miscalled  system  of  Agricul- 
ture, now  is  that  time,  and  as  a first  stop  in  the  way  of  improvement,  we 
should  give  more  attention  to  the  quality  of  the  Cotton  crop,  making  quality 
one  of  the  first  objects  in  it.  I was  forcibly  struck  with  the  folly  of  endeavor- 
ing to  make  large  Cotton  crops  at  the  cost  of  quality  in  comparing  notes  with 
some  of  my  Agricultural  friends  not  long  since,  who  had  made,  last  year, 
some  four  or  five  bales  to  the  band,  and  had. received  for  it,  between  9 and  10 
cents  ’round,  while  others  of  my  acquaintance,  who  had  made  7 and  8 bales 
to  the  band,  bad  received  an  average  of  a little  over  5 cts.  per  pound  for  it. 
Now,  if  any  one  will  go  to  the  trouble  of  a calculation,  be  can  satisfy  him- 
sejf  at  the  ruling  low  prices,  it  is  bad  economy  — had  policy  in  the  planter,  to 
make  quantity  the  object,  for  at  5 cts.  per  lb.,  the  8 bales  would  bring  but 
§120,  while  the  5 bales  of  quality  at  9 cts.  per  lb.  would  bring  $135  ; no" 
add  the  labour  or  cost  of  malting  the  increased  quantity — 3 bales  to  the  hand, 
the  gathering,  ginning  and  packing,  with  bagging,  rope,  twine  and  freight  of 
it,  and  he  will  then  be  short  of  the  loss  sustained  ; for  the  w are  and  tare  of 
every  thing  must  bo  considered,  which  should  be  placed  to  the  account  of 
profit  and  loss. 

1 will  not  insult  your  understanding  by  pursuing  this  matter  farther,  as  it 
will  appear,  at  a glance  to  be  a gieat  error,  and  l trust  will  he  corrected  bv 
our  Carolina  Planters,  at  any  rate.  Would  that  it  could  be  corrected 
throughout  the  Cotton-growing  States.  What  an  influence  it  would  exert 
upon  the  condition  of  our  country  ! The  effect  “ could  be  better  conceive  1 
than  described”— in  tendering  us  once  more  a most  prosperous,  a most  happy 
people. 

Many  have  thought  it  high  time  for  those  in  the  old  Slates  engaged  'n 
growing  cotton,  to  cast  about  for  a substitute  Tor  it,  as  a staple  article  ; their 
fears  and  apprehensions  leading  them  to  doubt  whether  we  would  not  be  com- 
pelled to  abandon  its  culture  in  the  course  of  a few  years,  in  consequence  < 
over-production,  India  competition,  and  her  eventually  supplanting  our  cot- 
tons in  the  English  market ; but  these  things  I now  look  upon  as  some  of 
the  exploded  humbugs  of  the  times  just  past,  having  their  existence  in  th 
sicklv  fears  and  apprehensions  of  diseased  trade  and  commerce.  Cotton  is 
still  to  be  our  great  leading  and  ruling  staple,  and  will  continue  so  for  a long 
time  to  come.  And  with  the  prospect  of  continued  peace  and  improvemen; 


PROCEEDINGS. 


209 


in  trades  will  in  all  probability  advance  in  p i ice,  unless  we  make  two  or  three 
very  large  crops  in  succession — which  is  not  very  probable — and  even  then, 
under  a healthy  state  of  things,  there  would  be  a little  or  no  harm  done,  as 
increased  production  with  low  prices,  would  only  stimulate  consumption  and 
check  or  destroy  competition.  From  present  appearances,  production  and 
consumption  must  travel  together  “ pari  pissu,”  and  in  the  cuurse  of  10  or 
20  years,  I am  led  to  doubt  whether  double  the  quantity  now  produced  would 
prove  more  than  adequate  to  the  wants  ot  the  world,  tor  cotton  and  steam 
must  fjqd  their  way  every  where;  and  as  co-agents  must  do  their  part  ia 
ameliorating  the  condition  of  mankind,  and  in  contributing  to  and  extending 
the  benefits  of  civilization.  I would  as  soon  expect  the  one  as  the  other  to 
runout;  neither,  until  their  great  work  is  completed  of  advancing  the  arts 
and  sciences,  and  extending  the  benefits  of  civilization. 

With  regard  to  India  competition  and  her  eventually  supplanting  our  cot- 
tons in  the  English  markets,  I will  believe  it  when  I see  it.  India  labours  un- 
der too  many  disadvantages  to  compete  successfully  with  us,  and  if  protect- 
ed in  the  English  markets,  as  we  have  been  told  she  will  be,  tiie  free  trade  no- 
tions that  prevail  and  are  gaining  ground,  will  soon  put  that  right  for  us  ; 
besides,  self  interest,  the  moving  and  ruling  principle  of  nations,  as  well  as 
individuals,  will  not  continue  a policy  that  costs  more  than  it  comes  to.  Eng- 
land will  not  injure  herself  to  inflict  upon  our  institutions  a blow. 

Having  pointed  out  the  prominent  errors  and  evils  in  our  Agricultural 
practice,  and  their  correction  as  the  first  or  preliminary  steps  to  improvement? 
we  come  next  to  consider  actual  improvement  itself,  which  should  extend  to 
and  embrace  every  thing  appertaining  to,  or  in  any  way  connected  with  the 
interests  of  Agriculture. 

I would  remark,  that  nothing,  however  small  or  insignificant. in  itself, 
should  be  over-looked  or  neglected  by  the  planter,  as  unworthy  of  attention. 
Our  business  and  its  improvements,  should  not  be  confined  to  the  operations  of 
a day,  week,  month,  or  year,  but  should  look  forward  to  a life-'ime,  and  even 
beyond — though  some  stem  to  think  that  we  should  let  posterity  labor  and 
take  care  of  itself. 

If  we  take  the  more  enlarged  and  compiehensive  views  of  our  operations 
and  duty,  we  will  perceive  that  it  is  our  interest,  as  well  as  duty,  to  look  to 
every  thing  that  has  the  least  hearing  upon  our  improvement.  In  other 
words,  that  we  should  husband  our  resources,  fur  upon  our  practice  in  this  re- 
spect will  depend  the,  profits  and  permanency  of  our  improvements,  and  our 
success  as  planters.  It  would  he  entering  upon  too  large  a field,  to  inquire 
into  and  discuss  at  length  the  various  objects  of  improvement,  which  present 
themselves  for  consideration.  1 will  only  briefly  notice  some  of  the  leading 
ones,  in  order  to  direct  the  inexperienced,  inquiring,  and  enterprising  young 
planters,  in  the  way  of  improvement; 


210 


AGRICULTURAL 


As  our  slaves,  of  all  our  property,  constitute  in  every  point  of  view,  the 
most  valuable  and  interesting,  a few  w ords  in  regard  to  them,  I trust,  will  no f 
be  considered  out  of  place.  In  all  respects  they  deserve,  and  should  com- 
rnand,  our  first  consideration.  The  relations  which  exist  between  the  mes- 
ter  and  slave,  are  of  that  intimate  character,  w hich  must  bear  a very  con- 
siderable influence,  not  only  upon  our  pecuniary  interest,  hat  upon  our  so- 
cial  and  domestic  enjoyments— not  only  upon  our  agricultural,  mechanic,  anc? 
manufacturing  pursuits,  but  anon  the  cliaracter,and  condition  of  our  communi- 
ties, socially  and  politically. 

As  a question  of  philanthropy,  it  is  or.e  of  the  deepest  concern.  As  a 
question  of  domestic  feeling,  it  is  one  of  ti  e most  tender  solicitude — as  one- 
of  policy,  it  is  one  of  the  greatest  importance — and  as  one  of  pecuniary  re- 
sult, it  is  deserving  far  n.oie  attention  and  reflection  than  I fear  it  has  gen- 
erally received. 

] trust  it  will  neither  bu  considered  a reflection  upon  ti  e past,  nor  as  dis- 
connected  with  the  objects  of  our  Association,  if  I should  say,  great  as  the  im- 
provement  has  been,  and  is  daily  making,  that  there  is  yet  100m  for  improve- 
ment in  the  tieatment  of  our  slates.  1 will  add  a few  reflections  upon  their 
care  and  management. 

To  those  who  arc  out  of  debt.  1 see  no  surer  way  to  profit,  than  through 
the  improvement  of  their  lands  and  the  increase  of  their  slaves,  with  the  mor- 
al and  physical  improvement  of  which  they  are  susceptible.  Their  physical 
capacity,  I venture  to  say,  is  scarcely  known  by  the  exacting  task-master? 
and  overseers,  who  require  of  them  a given  quantity  of  W ork,  without  paying; 
any  regard  to  their  natural  wants  and  necessities,  other  than  supplying  week- 
ly,  their  peek  of  meal  and  a small  ration  of  bacon.  If  rendered  more  wil- 
ling by  kind  treatment,  they  become  more  efficient  and  completely  identified 
in  feeling  and  interest,  with  the  master  and  overseer,  in  undertaking  and  con- 
ducting all  improvements  ; for  this  alone  they  should  command  ofir  special 
attention  and  care,  as,  after  all.  the  execution  of  all  our  plantation  operation® 
and  improvements  devolve  upon,  r>nd  arc  carried  out  by  them. 

With  regard  to  Stock,  another  interesting  subji  ct  to  our  planters,  I have 
so  little  experience,  that  1 shall  offer  but  one  suggestion.  3 think,  in  connec- 
lion  with  the  increase  of  our  grain  crops,  and  the  introduction  of  the  grass 
and  root  culture,  they  might  be  rendered  more  profitable  in  themselves,  and 
might  be  made  to  facilitate  and  advance  greatly  the  improvement  of  our 
lands,  by  means  of  their  use,  with  the  resources  of  the  woods  and  such  other 
things,  as  could,  under  their  hoofs,  be  readily  converted  into  manure,  the 
planter’s  source  of  wealth. 

Upon  the  subject  of  making  manure,  and  the  improvement  of  our  lands 
and  culture,  I bad  intended  to  dwell  at  some  length,  but  I have  already  ex- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


2L1 


ceeded  the  limits  which  I prescribed  for  myself,  so  1 will  conclude  with  but 
a remark  or  two. 

Next  to  the  order  and  thorough  repairs  of  plantation  buildings,  gates,  fences, 
and  implements  ofhusbandry,  drainage  is  of  the  first  importance,  as  the  suc- 
cess of  most  future  operations  must  essentially  depend  upon  it.  I cannot 
therefore,  urge  too  strongly  upon  all,  especially  our  swamp  planters,  the  ne- 
cessity of  particular  attention  to  the  state  of  their  drains,  without  which,  the 
subsequent  operations  of  ploughing  and  manuring  are  wasteful,  and  in  some 
instances  even  hurtful  to  the  land. 

An  able  and  celebrated  Agricultural  writer  says  : “ Lay  your  land  dry, 
whatever  may  be  the  method  pursued  or  the  expense  to  be  incurred,  before 
you  attempt  any  thing  else.”  If  this  writer  be  correct,  as  he  surely  is,  drain- 
age may  be  considered  the  very  “ basis  of  good  husbandry.” 

Fall  and  winter  ploughing,  fallowing,  resting  and  rotation  of  crops,  with 
many  other  modes  of  improvement,  present  their  claims  upon  us,  in  view  of  a 
new  and  improved  system  of  Agriculture. 

In  connection  with  a regular  system  of  manuring,  they  should  be  looked1 
to  and  considered  ; but  as  their  introduction  will  interfere,  at  the  start,  with 
man}'  important  plantation  operations,  the  mode  and  time  of  adopting  them 
must  be  left,  to  our  planters  respectively.  I will  not  venture  to  lay  down  any 
rules  for  their  direction  and  guidance  ; yet  1 hope,  from  this  omission,  that 
our  interests  will  not  sufler  for  the  want  of  pioneers  in  the  great  and  good 
work  of  Agricultural  reform,  for  it  is  so  intimately  connected  and  blended 
with  every  thing  near  and  dear  to  a Carolinian,  I feel  that  my  co-laborers  in 
the  great  and  good  cause  must  be  many,  and  that  their  efforts  must  prove 
triumphant. 


* 


' 

* 

2 


AN  ADDRESS, 


BY  JOHN  BELTON  O'NEILL, 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETV,  AT  THEIR  MEETING  AT 
GREENVILLE,  1 lTH  SEPT.,  1844. 


On  looking  over  this  audience,  1 am  tempted  to  ask  each  and  every  one, 
what  is  your  occupation?  Nine  out  of  ten  would  answer,  it  is  that  of  tilling 
the  soil.  Of  the  remaining  one  tenth,  almost  everyone,  in  a greater  or  less 
degree,  has  something  to  do  with  it.  Of  South  Carolina,  therefore,  it  may 
be  truly  said,  her  business  "and  life  is  Agriculture.  Yet  in  no  part  of  the 
world,  has  less  been  done  to  give  her  the  entire  benefits  of  that  business  in  which, 
she  is  engaged.  Until  very  lately,  she  has  looked  on  the  good  around  her, 
and  has  been  content  to  waste,  instead  of  using  it.  The  deserted  and  deso- 
late fields,  and  the  groaning  forests,  as  they  fall  before  the  axe,  tell  us  too 
truly,  that  we  have  scarcely  ceased  to  be  the  pioneers  of  Agriculture. 

Still  something  has  been  done  to  recall  the  people  to  their  true  interests 
This  very  Society,  meeting  annually  for  the  list  four  or  five  years  in  Colum- 
bia, and  embodying  a great  deal  of  piactical,  as  well  as  theoretical  knowl- 
edge, has  done  much.  So  too,  the  District  Societies,  organized  throughout 
the  State,  and  annually  collecting  the  Farmers  together,  and  inducing  them  to 
think  and  write  about  their  respective  systems  of  culture,  have  created  an 
interest  and  rivalry  in  farming,  which  has  led  to  the  great  and  valuable  results. 
This  very  meeting,  intended  to  call  out  the  Farmers  of  the  mountain  District, 
and  to  give  to  them  the  benefits  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  and  to 
receive  from  them,  in  return,  that  stock  of  information  which  they  possess  in 
relation  to  their  local  agriculture,  speaks  for  us  in  a voice  not  to  be  misunder- 
stood, that  South  Carolina  is  at  last  thoroughly  aroused  to  her  dearest  inter- 
ests. Can  I add  any  thing  to  the  interest  of  this  occasion?  If  I can,  duty, 
as  well  as  inclination,  will  prompt  me  to  do  so  : but  I fear  that  a Lawyer  and 
a Judge,  although  long  deeply  interested  in  Agriculture,  will  not  be  able  to  set 
before  you,  the  matters  which  should  interest  you,  in  that  light  which  a more 
experienced,  practical  Farmer  could  shed.  Still,  as  you  have  desired  it,  I 


214 


AGRICULTURAL 


will  try ; if  I succeed,  all  which  I wish  is  obtained  ; if  I fail,  the  attempt  has 
satisfied  the  claims  which  you  have  upon  me,  and  may  open  the  way  to  some 
other  better  qualified,  and  more  successful  than  I may  be. 

On  an  occasion  like  the  present,  as  a part  of  the  address  with  which  I am 
charged,  it  may  be  well  to  consider  first,  briefly,  two  of  the  many  popular 
objections  urged  to  Agricultural  Societies.  It  is  supposed  by  some,  that 
theory  and  practice  are  at  war  with  each  other ; in  other  words,  book  farm- 
ing  is  one  thing,  and  real,  practical  farming  is  another.  But  there  is  here  a 
great  and  abiding  mistake,  founded  in,  and  growing  up,  by  prejudice.  Agri- 
cultural writers  and  Societies  make,  sometimes,  it  is  true,  mere  suggestions — 
they  are  tested — if  found  to  be  good,  so  far,  great  benefit  has  been  conferred 
upon  the  people  ; if,  however,  they  fail,  little  harm  has  been  done.  But  in 
general,  Agricultural  Societies  do  not  rely  on  speculative  suggestions.  Their 
members  are  Farmers,  understanding  perfectly  their  respective  modes  of  cul- 
ture; each  has  tried  experiments,  and  when  successful,  these  are  communi- 
cated, and  others  are  thus  encourage^ to  try.  For  example,  can  any  thing  in 
the  wheat  crop,  be  more  important  than  a certain  means  of  preventing  S.i.ut  ? 
A brother  Farmer,  Jno.  S.  Carwile,  Esq.,  many  years  ago,  communicated  to 
me  his  specific,  which  consisted  in  soaking  the  seed  wheat  during  the  night 
previous  to  sowing,  in  a solution  of  blue-stone,  in  the  ratio  of  one  pound  of 
blue-stone  to  every  five  bushels  of  wheat.  After  many  trials,  my  experience 
enabled  me  to  say  to  the  Newberry  Agricultural  Society,  that  it  was  a perfect 
antidote  to  smut,  and  my  report,  thus  made  public,  has  been  spread  through- 
out the  grain  growing  communities,  and  many  a farmer  has  been  thereby 
essentially  benefitted.  Again,  in  Agricultural  Societies,  experiments  in  ma- 
nures, and  the  crops  adapted  to  the  different  soils,  are  made  by  various  men, 
and  the  results  are,  in  their  reports,  given  to  the  people,  so  that  the  community- 
have  the  opportunity  of  not  only  profiting  by  one  man’s  success,  but  also  even 
by  his  errors.  These  examples  of  practical  results  will  be  enough  to  remove 
one  class  of  prejudices. 

It  is,  however,  urged  by  many  a planter,  whose  advantages  of  education 
may  not  have  been  as  great  as  another’s,  it  is  useless  for  me  to  become  a 
member  of  an  Agricultural  Society;  I can  neither  write  nor  speak.  It  is 
true,  when  the  elegance  of  erudition  is  combined  with  the  practical  knowl- 
edge of  the  planter,  as  is  so  beautifully  illustrated,  in  the  bright  example  of 
the  untiring  President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  it  adds  many  charms 
to  the  usefulness  of  such  a member.  But  this  is  not  expected  of  every  one. 
Like  the  trees  of  the  forest,  one  may  be  more  towering  or  moie  fruitful,  still 
each  has  its  place,  and  is  useful.  Every  farmer— every  man  who  tills  the 
soil,  is  an  important  member  of  an  Agricultural  Society-.  We  aie  in  society 
for  the  express  purpose  of  combining  every  thing  which  can  be  gathered 


PROCEEDINGS. 


215 


together.  Our  Agricultural  stream,  is  like  your  o'.vn  Suluda  ; it  is  made  up 
of  hundreds  of  minor  streams,  some  greater,  some  less,  until  they  dwindle 
down  to  the  drippings  which  fall  from  the  summit  of'  the  Table  Rock.  Wo 
want  the  experience  of  every  one,  in  the  culture  of  his  crop,  whatever  it  may 
be.  From  that  which  he  considers  important  to  his  success,  we  will  find 
something  beneficial  to  others.  Let  no  one  suppose  that  he  cannot  tell,  or 
commit  to  paper,  a plain  statement  of  whatever  lie  considers  material  to  his 
success  as  a farmer.  I know  that  every  one  who  has  the  gifi  of  speech,  or 
who  can  write  a letter,  can  do  it.  For  he  who  understands  a matter,  can 
make  it  be  understood  by  another.  In  the  Society  of  which  l am  a member, 
(the  Newoerry  Agricultural  Society)  many  of  our  most  valuable  Reports 
come  from  unpracticed  writers,  plain  farmers,  tillers  of  the  soil,  who  them- 
selves, at  some  periods  of  their  lives,  have  been  accustomed  to  hold  the  handles 
of  the  plough.  But  it  is  not  alone  in  the  reports  of  the  Society,  that  a mem 
bar’s  usefulness  is  seen.  Every  exhibition  of  practical  success  in  crops, 
raising  stock,  or  adding  to  the  health  and  comfort  of  his  slaves,  is  of  as  much, 
and  perhaps  more  importance  than  that  which  is  written.  It  teaches  by  exam- 
ple. It  says  to  each  and  all,  if  l have  succeeded,  you  can  succeed  by  the 
same  means. — -TRY.  Having  disposed  of  these  objections,  I come  now  to 
set  before  you  the  claims  of  Agricultural  Societies  and  Agriculture. 

Meetings,  such  as  this,  with  an  exhibition  of  stock,  manufactures  and  crops, 
are  other  results  from  Agricultural  Societies.  What  effect  they  will  have,  a 
year  or  two  hence,  wiil  better  enable  you  to  answer  than  now.  In  general 
they  will  excite  emulation  among  the  farmers ; every  one  will  try  to  surpass 
his  neighbor.  This  spirit  leads  to’  improvement  upon  improvement,  and  a 
wnole  section  of  country  will  put  on  a new  face.  Where  barrenness  existed, 
fertility  will  be  found — where  wasteful  habits  of  farming  were  common,  more 
prudence  will  take  their  place.  In  all  our  rolling  country,  from  the  moun- 
tains to  the  fl  it  lauds  of  the  sea-board,  what  rrnre  wasteful,  impoverishing 
style  of  Agriculture  co  dd  be  adopted,  than  ploughing  up  and  down  the  hills? 
Yet  that  has  been  the  universal  habit  until  of  late  years.  The  consequence 
is,  that  the  State  is  scarred  all  over  with  gullies,  and  the  wasted  hill.sides, 
bill  and  birren,  stand  before  us,  our  reproach  and  punishment.  Cultivation 
in  drills,  and  horizantal  ploughing,  or  ploughing  around  the  hills,  corrects  this 
evil.  Agricultural  Sacieties  are  the  means  of  communicating  this  informa- 
tion, and  inciting  farmers  to  try  it.  In  a hasty  trip  to  Asheville,  in  June  last, 
I was  delighted  to  see  the  improvements  in  Agriculture,  which  had  taken 
place  in  Buncombe,  in  the  last  four  years.  One  farm,  within  four  miles  of 
Asheville,  presented,  what  is  not  common  in  this  country,  a mountain  knob, 
ploughed  horizontally  from  base  to  summit,  and  smiling  in  corn  and  grass. 
Such  an  example,  on  the  highway,  could  not,  I was  sure,  fail  to  create  a spirit 


216 


AGRICULTURAL 


of  emulation,  highly  favorable  to  Buncombe.  And  in  this  expectation  I was 
not  deceived.  Every  where,  it  seemed  to  me,  she  had  stripped  herself  to 
struggle  for  the  prize — the  blessing  of  skillful  Agriculure  on  lie  poor  land  of 
the  mountains ; and  in  part  she  lias  already  received  it.  Can  you  not,  my 
countrymen,  in  like  manner  strive,  and  in  like  manner  succeed  ? If  you  have 
the  will  to  try,  I know  you  cun  and  will. 

Associations  of  men  for  all  purposes  are  essential.  Without  society,  man 
could  not  exist.  In  the  very  morning  of  creation,  God  declared,  “it  is  not 
good  than  man  should  be  alone:”  he  therefore  provided  an  help  meet  for  him, 
in  lovely,  smiling,  erring,  suffering,  yet  faithful  and  angelic  woman.  This 
principle  of  help,  thus  recognized  and  pointed  out  as  necessary  to  man  in  the 
beginning,  has  descended  to  him  ever  since,  not  only  in  the  blissful  relation  of 
husband  and  wife,  but  also  in  all  the  other  various  relations  of  life.  Separate  ac- 
tion seldom  accomplishes  much.  Combined  action  is  irresistible.  These  re- 
marks will  be  belter  understood  by  plain  men,  from  a few  practical  illustrations. 
If  one  farmer,  in  some  retired  section  of  country,  pursues  a course  of  husbandry 
which  makes  his  place  blossom  like  the  rose,  what  does  he  accomplish  1 He 
blesses  himself  and  his  family  ; but  as  to  the  community,  I could  sav  of  him, 
in  poetic  language, 

“Full  many  a rose  blooms  to  blush  unseen, 

■ And  waste  its  fragrance  in  the  desert  air.’~ 

Let  him,  however,  become  a member  of  an  Agricultural  Society,  and  bis  suc- 
cess will  be  their  success,  his  example  their  example,  seen,  known  and  followed 
by  hundreds.  In  tire  performance  of  any  work  when  much  is  to  be  accom- 
plished, numbers  are  sought  and  obtained,  as  the  means  of  accomplishing  it 
promptly  and  easily.  If  a farmer  has  his  logs  to  roll,  a house  to  build,  or  ills 
wheat  to  cut,  bis  neighbors  are  called  in  to-  aid,  and  that  which  his  own  force 
could  only  have  accomplished  with  a great  expense  of  labor  and  time,  is  the 
work  of  a day.  Just  so  it  is  with  an  Agricultural  Society.  Individual  im- 
provement has  been  for  more  than  an  hundred  years  in  the  field,  and  has 
accomplished  but  little.  Associations  for  Agricultural  Improvements  are, 
comparatively  speaking,  of  recent  origin,  and  yet  they  have  crowned  the  land 
with  all  the  honors  of  successfi.1  husbandry.  A Society  in  a District  gaihers 
in  the  people  toihe  work,  points  out  that  which  is  to  be  done,  and  all.  with  the 
desire  to  surpass  one  another,  go  at  it,  with  minds  and  hands  devoted  to,,  and 
prepared  for  the  task,  and  the  labor  of  more  than  an  hundred  years  of  sepa- 
rate action  is  thus,  by  combined  energy  and  information,  accomplished  in  a 
few  years. 

Farmers,  too,  have  fewer  channels  of  information  relative  to  their  particu- 
lar business  than  any  others.  Politics,  Literature  and  Temperance,  have, 
through  papers,  meetings,  and  other  sources,  continual  rills,  which,  united 


PROCEEDIN' 


217 


together,  make  up  the  mighty  streams  which  flow  through  our  land,  to  make 
it  every  where  glad.  But  until  recently,  farmers’  associations  and  meetings 
were  few  and  far  between.  Now  and  then,  it  is  true,  an  Agricultural  paper, 
periodical  or  address,  found  its  way  into  the  hands  of  some  enterprising  far- 
mer, who  read  it  and  profited  by  it.  Latterly,  by  combi  -mg  Agriculture  with 
Temperance,  in  the  columns  of  the  Temperance  Advocate,  Agricultural  infor- 
mation has  found  its-  way  into  many  a house,  where  it  otherwise  would  not, 
and  has  excited  interest  among  the  yeomanry  o!  the  country,  which  never 
before  existed. 

So  too,  the  District  Agricultural  Societies  have  collected  the  people  togeth- 
er-, have,  by  addresses,  report-:,  and  exhibitions  of  stock,  interested  them  in 
the  cau-e;  have  made  them  conscious  of  their  power,  proud  of  their  busi- 
ness, and  shown  them,  both  by  precept  and  example,  how  it  could  be  made 
better  and  better,  year  after  year. 

In  the  pursuit  of  an  object  and  end  such  as  ours,  every  thing  which  will 
excite  individuals  to  excel,  is  properly  resorted  to.  Hence  premiums  are 
offered,  not  so  much  for  their  value,  as  the  evidence  of  success.  The  public 
rendition  of  these,  accompanied  by  such  an  address  as  that  which  the  Presi- 
dent of  this  Society  usually  delivers,  is  an  honor  of  which  the  successful 
ought  to  he,  and  always  will  he  proud.  But  its  usefulness  does  not  stop  here  ; 
it  arouses  the  spirit  of  emulation  in  others,  and  blesses  the  country  with  fine 
stock,  fine  crop,  and  beautiful  farms. 

The  annual  or  semi-annual  meetings  of  Agricultural  Societies,  wit!)  their 

n o 7 

attendant  exhibitions  of  fine  Stock,  good  domestic  manufactures,  and  excel, 
lent  specimens  of  grain  and  cotton,  are  calculated  to  deeply  interest  not  only 
us,  .'lie  members,  hut  also  the  people.  Multitudes  will  thus  be  drawn  together, 
each  meeting  increasing  the  succeeding  one.  The  Agricultural  meetings  of 
New  York  fully  support  this  assertion.  That  of  the  last  Fall,  which  called 
together  so  much  ol  talent,  enterprise  and  success,  from  the  bosom  of  the 
State,  and  from  the  extremes  of  the  old  thirteen,  Massachusetts  and  Souih 
Carolina,  with  the  immense  crowd  of  citizens,  men,  women,  and  children, 
attended  by  their  trains  of  stock,  and  every  thing  else  to  exhibit,  proclaims, 
in  a voice  to  he  heard  throughout  our  broad  land,  that  in  New  York  the  peo- 
ple have  made  Agriculture  and  Agricultural  improvement  what  it  ought  to  be, 
their  principal  object.  Can  it  not  be  so  here  ? — Could  we  talk  less  about  poli- 
tics, and  more  about  crops,  have  fewer  slump  speeches  and  barbecues  washed 
d.own  with  strong  drink ; more  agricultural  addresses,  meetings  and  barbacucs 
washed  down  with  cold  water,  think  you  not,  my  countrymen,  that  in  a few  years 
we  should  le  an  abundantly  wiser,  more  porsperous  and  happier  people  than 
we  arc  now?  To  my  mind  it  is  clear  that  we  should  ! Such  Agricultural 
meetings  as  this  will  do  much  to  accomplish  so  desirable  an  object.  We 


218 


AGRICULTURAL 


meet,  from  every  quarter  of  the  Stale,  to  become  acquainted  with  one  another 
as  farmers,  to  think,  to  write,  to  talk,  to  hear  about,  and  to  stir  one  another 
up  to  improvement  in  Agriculture.  It  is,  1 hope,  to  be  the  parent  of  many 
other  such  meetings  in  other  parts  of  the  State,  until  all  her  people,  every 
where,  will  devote  themsel  ves  to  her  greatest  good : For  South  Carolina  seems 
to  be  plainly  devoted,  by  her  local  position,  to  three  great  staples,  rice,  cotton, 
grain  and  grass.  Many  of  these  different  products  can  be  grown  upon  the 
same  lands.  But  the  swamps  of  the  lower  country  are  more  especially  suit' d 
to  rice ; while  the  region  in  which  we  now  assemble,  lying  west  of  a line  on 
tile  latitude  of  Laurens  Court  House,  ought  to  be  essentially  a grain  and  grass 
growing  community.  The  intervening  country,  between  the  two  designated 
sections  of  the  State,  is  a cotton  country,  not  usually  producing  more  grain 
than  is  necessary  for  the  consumption  of  the  inhabitants.  By  inattention  to 
the  plain  indications  of  nature,  how  much  useless  labor  is  expended ! The 
attempt  to  raise  cotton,  as  a crop,  above  Laurens,  is  really  and  truly  a poor 
compensation  to  the  husbandman.  The  beautiful  rolling  lands  and  level  bot- 
toms lying  within  this  range  of  country,  if  judiciously  cultivated  in  grain  and 
grass,  with  no  more  cotton  than  household  wants  may  demand,  would  crown 
the  labors  of  the  year  with  a fully  equal  reward.  More  money  would  thus, 
fellow-citizens,  annually  come  to  your  hands  from  the  grain  and  stock  which 
you  would  be  able  to  grow  and  rear,  than  ever  you  have  been  able  to  realize 
from  grain  and  cotton.  And  then  what  a change  would  he  effected  all  around 
you.  Horses,  mules,  cattle,  sheep,  and  hogs,  fat  and  in  abundance — milk, 
butter,  cheese,  honey,  and  the  wheat  cake  at  every  bouse — each  family  well 
clothed  in  the  winter  and  summer  from  the  fleece  and  cotton  of  every  farm, 
spun  and  wove  at  home!  Would  you  not  then,  indeed,  be  happy  and  inde- 
pendent  ? If  the  temporal  blessings  of  God  can  ever  make  a people  contented, 
yours  would  be  that  happy  lot.  But  the  advantages  of  such  a course  of 
farming  would  not  stop  here.  The  whole  appearance  of  the  landscape  would 
undergo  a magical  change,  hardly  surpassed  by  the  wonder-working  powers 
of  Aladdin’s  lamp;  your  old  washed  and  sedge  fields,  seamed  with  gullies, 
would  disappear ; and  your  hills  clothed  in  living  green,  or  bending  under  the 
golden  harvests,  would  present  a scene  full  of  interest.  Instead  of  dilapi- 
dated buildings  and  fences,  and  perishing  orchards,  your  buildings  and  fences 
would  he  substantia!  and  your  orchards  flourishing.  But  you  ask  me  how 
this  would  be  brought  about?  The  answer  is  obvious.  You  would  have 
more  time  to  devote  to  improvement  than  you  have.  In  a course  of  crops, 
such  as  I have  recommended,  a part  of  the  Spring,  Summer,  and  a small  part 
of  the  Fall,  would  be  necessary  for  their  culture.  Four,  five,  or  possibly 
six  months  of  every  year  would  be  unemployed  in  your  crops,  and  would  be 
devoted  to  improvement.  Every  man  will  be  able  to  form  some  opinion  of 


PROCEEDINGS. 


219 


what  he  could  thus  accomplish.  But  this  is  not  all  the  advantage  which  you 
might  expect  Land  set  in  grass  or  cultivated  in  gra'n  does  not  require  one  half 
the  labor  which  a grain  and  cotton  crop  demands.  But  the  money,  whence  is  that 
to  come?  is  the  question  in  every  mind.  From  your  surplus  corn,  wheat,  oats, 
rye,  barley  and  hay;  from  your  pork  and  bacon,  which  you  would  have  to  spare, 
as  the  result  of  plenty,  wherewith  to  raise,  feed  and  fatten  large  stocks  of  hogs; 
from  your  cattle,  horses,  mules  and  sheep,  raised  and  fed  by  yourgrain  and  grass! 
Let  your  practical  farmers,  many  of  whom  I am  proud  to  see  at  this  meet- 
ing, compare  the  results  of  a grain  and  grass-growing  crop,  with  one  of  grain 
and  cotton,  and  the  result  will  be  25  if  not  50  per  cent.,  in  favor  of  the  for- 
mer. Will  you  still  persist  in  old  habits,  and  not  at  least  make  a trial  of 
that,  which,  although  perhaps  new  to  you,  yet  comes  thus  recommended? 

To  bring  about  such  results  here,  and  to  approximate  as  near  as  maybe  in 
every  other  part  of  th°  State,  how  important  are  Agricultural  Societies ! 
They  are  your  lights.  They  point  you  to  the  good  : they  warn  you  of  that 
which  is  bad:  they  tell  you  now,  as  they  have  often  done  before,  that  true 
independence  is  to  be  found  in  the  abundance  resulting  from  your  farms. 
Raise,  my  countrymen,  every  where  in  South  Carolina,  your  own  hogs,  sheep, 
cattle,  horses  and  mules — clothe  your  own  households  by  the  domestic  wheel 
and  loom — manufacture  your  own  shoes — supply  your  own  tables  with  flour, 
potatoes,  butter  and  chees^,  of  your  own  crops,  herds  and  dairy,  and  you  can 
bid  defiance  to  all  the  tariffs  in  the  world.  How  much  we  are  tributary,  by 
our  own  negligence  and  want  of  thrift,  to  the  Eastern  States,  has  been  lately 
pointed  out  most  clearly  by  a gentleman,  whose  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his  coun- 
try, as  well  as  Agriculture,  has  not  been,  and  will  not  be,  surpassed.  From 
his  essays  you  will  learn,  with  amazement,  the  immense  sums  annually  paid 
for  butter,  cheese,  brooms,  shoes,  potatoes  and  onions,  all  of  which  we  could 
easily  manufacture  or  produce  at  home.  Well  may  we  complain  of  our  bur- 
dens under  such  circumstances.  A part  of  them,  we  have  but  to  will  should 
cease,  and,  like  the  Pilgrim’s  burden  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  they  will  rolloff 
and  sink  forever  from  our  view. 

The  time  is  now  at  hand  when  every  South  Carolinian  must  prepare  for  the 
deadly  struggle,  which  it  is  to  be  feared  is  soon  to  take  place.  The  inslitu, 
tion  of  slavery,  whether  wise  or  not,  it  is  madness  in  us  to  discuss  with  men 
who  “ seeing  will  not  see,  and  hearing  will  not  hear  !”  It  is  here,  so  interwo- 
ven with  every  part  of  society,  mid  so  essential  to  life  itself,  that  i's  destruction 
would  be  ours.  Its  existence  and  continuance  depend  upon  our  agriculture. 

long  as  slave  labor  is  valuable,  so  long  will  slave  property  be  cherished. 
The  instant  it  ceases  to  be  so,  it  will  be  thrown  aside.  Look  therefore  calmly 
on  the  things  around  you.  Your  cotton  is  becoming  annually  a less  valuable 
crop,  Something  in  the  cotton  growing  country  must,  in  part,  supply  its 


220 


AGRICULTURAL 


place.  May  not  the  economy,  which  I have  alreaby  suggested,  stand  us  in 
great  stead  in  this  point  of  view?  And  will  not  the  cultivation  of  provison 
crops,  for  which  the  rice  growing  country  and  the  towns  of  the  sea-board  will 
furnish  a ready  market,  further  eke  out  our  wants?  I have  no  doubt,  if  all  of 
South  Carolina  above  the  first  falls  in  ou>-  great  rivers,  would  become  essen- 
tially a farming  and  manufacturing  country,  that  we  might,  in  a few  years,  vie 
with  even  New  England.  To  accomplish  this,  it  is  necessary  that  the  whole 
resources  of  our  State  should  be  understood,  as  well  as  her  industry  properly 
applied.  The  Geological  and  Agricultural  Survey  has  in  part,  and  will,  I 
hope,  fully  develope  them.  All  the  region  of  country  covered  by  York, 
Spartanburg,  Union,  Laurens,  Greenville,  Pickens,  Anderson,  and  the  upper 
part  of  Abbcviile,  might  be  essentially  improved  ty  the  Lime  which  can  be 
obtained  from  the  immense  quarries  of  Limestone  to  be  found  in  York,  Spar- 
tanburg and  Laurens.  To  the  farmers  of  the  beautiful  section  of  Carolina 
to  which  allusion  has  been  made,  the  Lime  will  afford  incalculable  riches, 
when  its  application  to  soils  and  crops  comes  to  be  properly  understood. 
Through  the  Agricultural  Survey  and  the  Agricultural  Societies,  this  infor- 
mation will  be  obtained  and  disseminated.  My  belief  is,  that  in  the  section 
of  country  to  which  I have  alluded,  the  Limestone  existing  within  it,  is  more 
than  enough  to  restore  its  original  fertility,  and  probably  to  increase  it  ten 
fold.  To  you,  then,  brother  Farmers  of  the  Mountain  Districts  of  South 
Carolina,  there  seems  to  be  no  ordinary  stimulant  to  excite  your  industry  and 
direct  your  efforts  10  improvement.  'Pile  earth  points  to  her  own  bosom,  and 
tells  you  from  it  to  obtain  that  which  will  clothe  your  fields  with  abundance, 
and  fill  your  coffers  with  a moie  certain  wealth  than  the  mines  of  Mexico  or 
Peru.  In  the  adjoining  Districts,  then  old  Pendleton,  the  earliest  and  most 
successful  effort  in  Agriculture  was  made  by  the  Farmers’  Society.  The 
union  of  such  names  as  North,  Pinckney,  Huger,  Calhoun,  Grisham,  Grif- 
fin, Maverick,  Harrison,  Reese,  Earle,  Whitner  and  Norton,  in  such 
a Society,  could  not  fail  to  make  it  useful.  Its  existence  for  more  than  twenty 
years  is  the  evidence  that  farmers,  when  once  informed,  and  acting  together, 
can  and  will  persevere  to  the  attainment  of  most  valuable  results.  It  is  an 
example  worthy  of  all  praise,  and  ought  every  where  to  be  immitated.  Here 
I am  glad  to  see  the  proper  spirit  is  also  at  work  ; and  your  Agricultural 
Society,  mingled  to-day  with  the  State  Society,  in  offering  premiums,  points 
out  the  beginning  of  what  is  to  be  a glorious  day  for  Greenville!  Glorious! 
because  it  will  confer  greater  blessings  upon  her  worthy  population. 

The  people  of  the  cotton  growing  Districts  between  Laurens  Court  House 
and  Orangeburg,  have  not  the  same  means  of  fertilizing  their  lands.  Still,  in 
judicious  cultivation,  the  application  of  animal  and  vegetable  manures,  they 
can  do  much  to  restore  their  exhausted  wastes.  The  analysis  of  cotton  and 
the  cotton  plant,  shows,  1 am  told,  that  the  food  peculiar  to  its  nutriment  and 


PROCEEDINGS. 


221 


growth  is  the  p/to  phcle  of  lime,  and  that  this  can,  in  a greater  or  less  degree, 
be  supplied  on  every  plantation  by  burning  the  bones,  which  are  cast  away  as 
an  incumbrance,  and  applying  small  quantities  of  the  ashes  to  each  plant. 
This,  beyond  all  question,  deserves  the  attention'of  our  Agricultural  Societies, 
all  of  which  should  unite  in  requesting  Professor  Ellet  to  give  to  the  public 
his  chemical  analysis  of  cotton  and  the  cotton  plant,  and  his  observations  upon 
that  which  is  essential  in  the  soil  to  its  growth.  Such  an  act  on  his  part  will 
add  another  to  the  many  claims  of  usefulness  which  he  has  upon  this  State. 
If  to  this  we  shall  fortunately  add,  through  the  Agricultural  Survey,  or  the 
Agricultural  Societies,  a correct  analysis  of  our  soils,  and  some  hints  as  to 
the  kind  of  crops  best  adapted  thereto,  I have  no  doubt  that  we  have  the 
means  within  our  reach  of  reclaiming  our  exhausted  lands  in  the  cotton  Dis- 
tricts above  Orangeburgh.  The  application  of  the  Cow-Pea  as  a manure  has 
been  often  suggested,  and  will,  when  properly  applied,  succeed  as  well  with 
us  as  the  Clover  has  in  more  Northern  and  Western  lands.  When  sown 
broadcast,  and  turned  under  while  green,  it  will  furnish  a fine  vegetable  mould 
for  the  ensuing  crop.  On  every  plantation,  however,  a little  industry  will 
gather  from  the  woods  the  alluvial  deposits,  the  cow-per.s  and  stables  a supply 
of  manure,  which  will  do  more  to  repay  labour  than  can  be  found  in  felling 
the  forest  and  prcpai  ing  forest  land  for  endure.  Here  the  advice  and  encour- 
agement ot  Agricultural  Societies  become  all-important,  and  here  their  utility 
has  been  so  often  tested,  that  it  can  be  only  necessary  to  refer  you  to  the  Dis- 
tricts and  sections  of  country  w here  they  have  longest  existed,  for  the  evi- 
dence  in  their  favor.  The  country  from  Orangeburgh  to  the  sea. hoard,  in 
her  inexhaustable  beds  of  Marl,  has  that  which  will  make  her  lands  more 
productive  than  they  ever  have  been  ! 

How  much  there  is  to  encourage  us,  in  every  section  of  the  State,  is  appa- 
rent  from  even  these  hasty  remarks.  To  Yankee  enterprise,  could  a richer 
field  be  opened?  Cannot,  will  not  South  Carolina  enter  upon,  possess  and 
enjoy  the  good  which  is  their  own,  and  which  lies  open  and  inviting  before 
them?  It  is  true,  it  requires  labor,  perseverance  and  intelligence;  but  suc- 
cess challenges  and  demands  these,  every  where.  The  Clergyman,  the  Law- 
yer, the  Physician,  the  Merchant  and  the  Mechanic,  must  have  these  requi- 
sites  to  succeed;  and  still,  with  us,  all  of  these  professions  may  he  found  as 
successful  as  in  any  other  part  of  the  world  ! Why  may  not  the  Farmer 
here  succeed  ? He  can — he  may,  and  he  will ! It  is  only  to  will  and  deter- 
mine to  he  laborious,  industrious  and  persevering  in  agricultural  improvement, 
and  you  will  be  successful.  My  fellow-citizens,  here  let  us  make  the  resolve, 
that  let  others  do  as  they  may,  we  will  spare  no  pains  to  improve  the  fair  inhei  - 
ilance  which  God  has  given  us.  It  is  to  be  observed  in  Agriculture,  as  in 
every  thing  else,  success  does  not  depend  on  a single  effort ; many  an  experi- 


222 


AGRICULTURAL 


ment  must  be  tried,  and  tried  again.  Even  success  can  be  improved  ! The 
successful  Farmer  is  not  the  growth  of  a day.  A life  of  successful  and  active 
enterprise  does  not  more  than  suffice  to  make  such  an  one.  But  as  in  every 
other  occupation  successfully  followed,  every  day’s  improvement  and  success 
furnish  fresh  incentives  to  other  and  greater  efforts  to  further  improve  and 
succeed. 

No  higher  pleasure,  no  more  innocent  and  healthful  pursuit  can  be  con- 
ceived than  that  of  the  farmer.  If  his  own  hands  hold  not  the  plough,  yet 
in  superintending,  in  witnessing  the  successful  fruits  of  energy,  industry  and 
enterprise,  in  observing  the  continued  blessing  of  “ seed  lime  and  harvest,” 
and  the  mercy  of  God  in  his  rich  gifts  of  annual  abundance,  he  finds  enough 
to  make  his  heart  sing  with  joy,  and  his  head  bend  in  adoring  gratitude  to  the 
King  of  kings. 

No  pursuit  can  claim  a higher  antiquity  than  that  of  the  husbandman  ; it 
is  hoary  with  the  lapse  of  ages:  it  is  indeed  coeval  with  man  himself.  “ When 
the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of  God  shouted  for  joy,” 
then  began  the  business  of  Agriculture. 

No  occupation  can  be  more  honorable.  It  began  with  Adam,  the  father  of 
the  human  fumilv.  It  was  continued  by  Noah,  the  Patriarchal  remnant  of 
the  antediluvian,  and  the  beginnig  of  the  postdiluvian  world.  It  has  been 
followed  by  the  virtuous  of  all  ages.  It  has  bad,  and  always  will  have,  a 
Cincinnatus  and  a Washington  : for  in  all  countries,  and  es|  ecially  in  Re. 
publics,  the  great  body  of  our  rulers  must  come  from  amongst  the  Farmers. 
It  is  well  that  it  should  be  so,  not  to  the  exclusion  of  other  employments  and 
professions;  but  as  Agriculture  is  the  chief  pursuit,  it  should  have  its  full 
quota  of  the  Governors.  When  looked  at  in  this  point  of  view,  how  impor* 
tant  is  it  that  the  Farmer,  who  may  be  a Legislator,  a General  or  a Gover- 
nor, should  not  only  be  virtuous,  but  that  he  should  be  informed.  Such  an 
one  is  only  fit  to  rule  the  destinies  of  a free  people.  Each  and  every  Far- 
mer should  seek  all  sources  of  information,  through  books,  societies,  and 
intercourse  with  his  fellow-man  : and  then,  whether  on  the  farm  or  in  public 
life,  he  can  feel  confident  in  his  acts,  as  one  who  has  proved  “all  things,” 
and  is  determined  to  “hold  fast  that  which  is  good.” 


ADDRESS 

DELIVERED  by  r.  w.  roper,  es<$> 

Before  the  state  agricultural  socistv,  November,  1844. 


Mr.  pREstbF.XT  and  GIeSTlemen  : 

Tlie  objects  which  convene  us  on  the  present  occasion  are  of  essentia 5 
importance.  They  involve  the  advanceme,  t of  Agriculture  with  all  its 
collateral  relations— “Agriculture,  the  first  of  employments,  the  support  of 
life,  the  source  of  health,  independence  and  social  comfort-'-=a  pursuit  which 
awakens  the  solicitude  of  the  husbandman,  kindles  the  pride  of  the  patriot, 
absorbs  the  policy  of  the  statesman,  and  constitutes  the  welfare  of  every" 
community  : an  elevated  profession,  whose  superfluity  originates  commerce, 
connects  the  social  bond  of  the  human  family,  and  is  the  acknowledged 
standard  of  National  intelligence  and  civilization.  I propose  to  review  the 
subject  in  reference  to  the  laws  which  govern  it,  as  indicated  by  modern- 
discoveries  and  associated  in  its  success  with  a system  of  domestic  manu- 
factures, pointing  out  the  relations  in  which  they  stand  to  each  other  and 
affect  the  true  policy  and  prosperity  of  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

The  attainments  of  a modern  age  have  enlightened  the  olden,  ignorant 
system  of  cultivation,  and  established  principles  which  are  still  perfecting. 
No  longer  are  precarious  productions  of  nature  relied  on  to  supply  the  sim- 
plest wants  of  humanity,  nur  does  the  scanty  culture  of  pastoral  ages  alarm 
with  the  spectre  of  famine.  Seed  is  not  now  buried  in  the  earth  with  the 
indolent  ignorance  of  nomadic  life,  nor  abandoned  to  vicissitudes  of  seasons 
to  perfect,  but  Nature  is  carefully  watched  iu  her  silent  laboratory,  her  pro- 
cess detected,  her  monitions  adopted,  and  rich  rewards  received  of  choicest 
stores.  A .-system  of  careful  preparation,  with  approved  culture  of  lend 
and  crops  is  now  resorted  to,  which  renders  success  comparatively  indepen- 
dent of'casual  vicissitudes,  and  the  triumphs  of  Agriculture  are  tested  by 
a proportionate  increase  of  men  and  animals, 

The  progress  of  this  art  received  its  first,  rational  impulse  from  the  im- 
provements of  chemistry.  That  science  discloses  by  analysis  the  elements 
which  enter  into  soils  and  plants,  their  adaptation  to  each  other,  and  that 
success  depends  upon  restoring  the  fertility  of  soils  by  applying  certain  agents 
essential  to  reorganization.  That  it  is  incumbent  first  to  establish  the  com- 

% 


AGRICULTURAL 


224 

ponent  parts  of  a soil,  ascertain  how  to  alleviate  its  defects,  and  next  determine 
the  ingredients  which  constitute  the  grain,  so  as  in  culture  to  restore  as  many 
essential  properties  as  appertain  to  each.  That  the  atmosphere  also  performs 
in  the  general  process  important  functions  by  parting  with  its  subtle  gases  to 
a renewed  surface  of  the  earth,  supplying  to  the  plant  vitality,  solidity,  color 
and  beauty.  From  this  science  we  learn  that  all  soils  are  ranked  as  defec- 
tive, unless  they  contain  a certain  amount  of  calcareous  matter,  which  enters 
into  the  forma-ion  of  ali  grain,  and  that  lime  is  a chief  acting  principle.— 
This  fertalizer  has  among  the  intelligent  ever  been  known  as  such,  but  mod- 
ern research  elucidates  its  mode  of  action,  of  entering  into  combinations  with 
the  acids  of  all  decayed  vegetable  matter,  forming  thereby  a soluble  manure. 
Hence  in  compost,  its  great  importance  as  an  ingredient,  decomposing  all 
matter  and  adapting  it  to  the  fibres  of  the  plant.  It  is  indispensable  there- 
fore that  soils  should  also  contain  vegetable  matter,  or  humus,  to  be  prepar- 
ed as  a pabulum  for  plants,  or  where  this  primary  vegetable  constituent,  does 
not  exist  naturally,  that  it  should  be  supplied  from  various  sources,  par.icu- 
larly  the  resident  of  cultivation,  or  by  a resort  to  green  crops  for  manure, 
which  draw  the  largest  portion  of  their  substance  from  the  carbonic  acid  of 
the  atmosphere  and  from  water,  and  by  addition  of  their  substance  enriches 
the  soil  thereby. 

These  are  cardinal  principles  which  science  teaches,  and  which  the  ordi- 
nary classes  of  farmers  are  slow  to  acquire.  Their  tuition  lias  hitherto  been 
limited  to  a system  of  imitation:  they  have  yet  to  become  familiar  with  two 
distinct  characteristics  of  Agriculture,  the  scientific  and  mechanical,  and 
that  success  depends  upon  a judicious  combination  of  both  The  first,  mod- 
ern research  is  daily  developing,  the  last,  lias  from  time  immemorial  been 
practiced,  embracing  the  usual  routine  of  ploughing,  listing,  hoeing  and 
ditching.  These  are  all  indispensable  aids,  but  without  restoiatives,  prove 
as  pernicious  to  the  soil  as  the  constant  exercise  of  the  muscles  of  a robust 
frame  when  all  nourishment  is  denied  to  the  stomach. 

The  scope  of  this  address  does  not  permit  me  to  enlarge  upon  particular 
systems  of  Agriculture.  My  purpose  will  be  accomplished  by  instances  of 
the  success  of  a scientific  system.  Our  country  can  furnish  but  isolated 
examples  of  its  effects,  for  as  yet  no  permanent  plan  of  State  survey  has  in 
all  its  departments  been  undertaken  and  pursued.  We  must  look  abroad  for 
facts,  for  confirmation  of  its  benefits  to  those  densely  popidated  countries 
where  attention  to  agriculture  becomes  an  object  of  national  existence,  where 
the  increase  of  a single  bushel  per  acre  is  regarded  as  a highly  important 
consideration,  where  due  estimation  is  placed  on  the  economy  of  time,  labor 
and  expense  of  culture  : where  the  action  of  manures  whether  vegetable, 
calcareous  or  mechanical,  is  carefully  scrutinized  ; where  annual  r ports  are 


PROCEEDINGS. 


225^ 


made  into  their  mode  of  application,  and  manner  of  counteracting  effects  of 
drought  or  excessive  wet,  and  contributing  under  all  circumstances  to  increased 
production. 

To  collect  and  improve  such  facts,  embracing  the  general  advance  of  agri- 
culture throughout  England,  Lord  Spencer  founded  a general  Agricultural 
Society,  similar  to  this  now  engaging  our  care.  This  Society  has  tended  to 
most  salutary  results,  and  given  rise  to  the  establishment  of  county  Societies, 
which  have  instructed  and  stimulated  the  Farmers,  and  been  the  means  of 
gradually  increasing  the  grain  crop  from  nine  to  fifty-one  bushels  the  acre.- 
Proof  of  these  extraordinary  results  is  afforded  by  the  fact,  that  between. 
1801  and  1841,  the  population  of  Great  Britain  lias  increased  notwithstand- 
ing emigration,  from  10,300,030  to  23,800,000,  and  that  these  enlarged 
numbers  have  been  sustained  principally  by  the  augmented  productions  of 
improved  agriculture. 

Mr.  Pusey,  conductor  of  the  Journal  of  the  Royal  Agricultural  Society 
of  England,  says  the  average  produce  of  wheat  in  England  is  only  twenty- 
six  bushels  per  acre,  and  that  if  this  quantity  could  be  raised  to  twenty-seven, 
bushels,  it  would  add  475,000  quarters,  or  increase  the  nation’s  income- 
£1,200,000.  In  Scotland,  where  fifty  years  ago  wheat  was  scarcely  grown,- 
the  product  in  some  places  has  averaged  fifty-one  bushels  the  acre.  And' 
in  France,  bv  the  aid  of  chemistry,  wheat  growers  have  succeeded  in  doubling 
the  product  of  their  lands,  and  in  that  kingdom  they  annually  harvest  more 
wheat  than  is  grown  in  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States.  “ La  Voisierr 
the  French  chemist,  cultivated  240  acres  of  land  in  La  Yende  on  chemical 
principles,  to  instruct  the  farmers,  and  his  mode  of  culture  was  attended, 
with  so  rnueh  success  that  his  crops  produced  a third  more  than  by  the  usual 
mode,  and  in  nine  years  his  annual  produce  was  doubled.” 

These  are  examples  from  which  we  must  receive  instruction  and  see  the- 
necessity  of  promoting  Agricultural  science.  Such  an  auxiliary  places  in- 
the  road  to  success,  and  if  aided  by  an  interchange  of  opinion  by  frequent 
intercourse  among  Farmers,  by  Societies,  Exhibitions,  Premiums,  Periodi- 
cals, and  Newspapers,  collecting,  analyzing  and  disseminating  every  fact, 
-speculation  or  improvement,  we  may  then  exult  in  the  advance  of  the  all 
important  cause  of  Agriculture. 

But  one  exclusive  pursuit  can  alone  never  secure  national  greatness. 
Agriculture  must  be  stimulated  by  emolument,  and  emolument  must  proceed 
from  diversified  industry,  which  ample  provision,  by  aid  of  skillful  culture, 
can  alone  afford  time  and  means  to  indulge.  The  exchange  of  such  industry 
gives  life  and  activity  to  enterprise,  and  an  unembarrassed  market  becomes 
the  desideratum  of  a business  population.  By  a perversion  of  sentiment  and 
sound  policy,  interests  which  derive  their  existence  from  agriculture  have 
15 


226 


AGRICULTURAL 


been  too  often  made  to  present  antagonist  positions  thereto,  and  disturb  the 
political  and  social  relations  of  society.  In  consolidated  governments,  one 
calling  is  frequently  rendered  tributary  to  others,  and  whole  sections  of 
country,  compelled  to  endure  privations  and  impositions,  under  plea  of  effect- 
ing results,  which  the  sanguine  or  interested  maintain  will  ultimately  tend  to 
the  prosperity  of  a whole  community,  but  which  if  a free  and  matured  recip- 
rocal course  of  trade  was  awaited,  a more  permanent  foundation  of  pros- 
perity would  be  laid,  and  result  in  mutual  and  protracted  advantage.  Un- 
happily we  pine  under  such  a selfish  governmental  policy,  which  will  com- 
pel to  a course  of  conduct  adverse  to  our  wishes,  foreign  to  our  practice, 
calculated  to  establish  selfish,  limited  relationships,  leading  either  to  defensive, 
economical  practices,  or  to  an  enlarged  diversified  -system  of  labor,  which 
(ultimately  will  mar  the  prosperity  of  those  whose  short-sightedness  and 
cupidity  may  drive  us  to  an  unsought  rivalry.  Intimately  connected  with 
■our -future  agricultural  advancement  is  the  necessity  of  examining  the  posi- 
tion we  may  be  forced  to  occupy,  to  avert  mercenary  fanatical  combina- 
Lions,  and  arrest  the  downward  tendency  which  depresses  this  State.  We 
will  proceed  to  trace  the  sequel. 

Pkisband ry,  up  to  a comparatively  recent  period,  has  in  the  United  States 
been  ever  conducted  on  principles  of  reckless  extiavagance,  attesting  the 
thoughtlessness  of  human  character.  Where  abundance  prevails,  incon- 
siderate- waste  is  a usual  concomitant.  The  cramped  and  impoverished 
European  beheld  in  the  New  World  the  existence  of  boundless  forests  and 
illimitable  space,  which  the  skies  alone  seemed  capable  of  encircling,  and  he 
became  excited  to  eager  curiosity,  and  greedy  cupidity.  The  woodman’s 
axe  and  ploughman’s  furrow  soon  lacerated  the  primitive  surface,  and  vast 
territories  resounded  to  the  crash  of  stately  trees,  the  growth  of  centuries 
•and  the  pride  \of  nature.  Affrighted  herds,  hitheito  almost  unconscious  of 
the  tread  of  man,  fled  from  the  beams  of  refulgent  day,  and  sought  in  deeper 
recesses  a more  secure  retreat — section  after  section  became  speedily  occu- 
pied  and  deserted,  while  no  pang  of  remorse  smote  the  heart  of  the  deso- 
lating  wanderer.  Abandoning  his  humble  log  hut,  scarce  discerned  among 
belted  leafless  trees,  where  no  effort  of  industry  or  taste  kindled  one  pleasing 
reflection  of  the  past,  or  conjecture  for  the  future,  with  indifference  he  col- 
lects a few  moveables,  and  commences  another  wandering  march  to  perpe. 
trate  new  enormities  on  some  other  blooming  virgin  soil.  Thus  has  our 
•country  been  literally  laid  waste  by  the  insatiate  occupancy  of  land,  till  hordes 
•of  a border  population  are  now  opening  a prospect  upon  the  broad  Pacific. 
That  mighty  confine  will  roll  back  the  tide  of  population  to  its  first  springs. 
Already  the  early  swell  of  a recoil  is  being  felt  and  will  continue.  I hail 
the  investigations  of  agricultural  science  as  one  evidence  of  its  influence — 


PROCEEDINGS. 


227 


an.l  beheld  another  furnished  by  the  migrating  population  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  eastern  states  no'.v  concentrating  on  Virginia,  occupying  deserted 
habitations  and  improving  abandoned  fields  which  presented  melancholy 
chasms  to  the  way  worn. traveller. 

Strong  and  natural  inducements  will  constantly  be  at  work  to  promote  this 
reaction.  In  a country  like  the  United  States,  W.icre  wealth  an  1 consequence 
are  open  to  every  aspirant,  and  become  the  reward  of  genius,  where  an  exten- 
sive and  fair  arena  is  free  to  all  the  world,  the  facilities  offered  by  the  older 
states  must  stand  pre-eminent.  There  the  advantages  of  a liberal  education 
nny  be  obtained.  Society  with  its  refinements  weaves  a light  but  tenaceous 
web,  luxury  presents  its  allurements,  and  an  enlarged  sphere  of  action  is 
afforded  by  the  demands  of  civilization,  to  new  and  countless  sources  of  indus- 
try. The  tie  of  old  habits  and  feelings,  broken  only  by  the  relentless 
gripe  of  poverty,  become  again  united  with  better  fortunes,  and  rising  elastic 
from  the  conflict,  the  emigrant  would-  once  more  participate  in  the  triumphs 
of  success. 

The  influence  of  these  considerations  is  beginning  to  be  of  frequent  occur- 
rence, and  our  State  would  exhibit  sound  policy  in  turning  back  her  wander- 
ers, and  rendering  home  so  dear  as  to  banish  every  inducement  to  escape 
from  a father  land.  To  accomplish  this,  it  is  highly  important  to  scutanize 
our  habits,  feelings  and  resources,  and  divested  of  self-sufficiency,  and 
absurd  ignorant  pride,  have  the  independence  and  sober  sense  to  ascertain 
our  deficiencies,  and  by  comparing  our  wants  and  prospects  with  those  of 
other  states,  ascertain  our  relative  position  in  the  body  politic,  and  mark  out 
and  pursue  a future  line  of  policy. 

The  early  agriculture  of  South  Carolina  was  principally  confined  to 
domestic  supply,  bier  first  articles  of  export  were  lumber,  tar,  turpentine 
and  peltry.  Indigo,  rice  and  cotton,  were  afterwards  introduced,  became 
staple  commodities,  and  yielded  large  sources  of  wealth.  Indigo  has  been 
superceded  by  a better  foreign  article.  Rice  from  favorable  circumstances 
will  probably  remain  a permament  culture.  And  cotton,  once  our  wealth 
and  pride,  can  continue  so  no  longer  : a fairer  bloom  opens  on  other  lands, 
and  every  day  imparts  a moreo  ninous  warning  that  the  sceptre  has  departed. 
An  investigation  into  these  facts  will  lead  me  into  the  salutary  but  unseduc- 
tive  records  of  statistics. 

The  wide  extent  of  new  country  opened  to  the  culture  of  cotton,  n ust  force 
us  to  yield  the  palm  to  more  youthful  competitors.  The  three  gulph  States, 
Louisiana,  Mississippi,  and  Alabama,  with  Georgia,  produce  626,188,164  lbs. 
equaling  7-10  of  the  demands  of  the  world.  The  product  of  South  Carolina 
is  but  60,590,861  lbs  or  2-5  less,  than  as  compared  with  Louisiana,  1-3  less 
with  Mississippi,  1-2  less  with  Alabama,  and  nearly  1-3  less  with  Georgia. 


228 


AGRICULTURAL 


Florida,  scarcely  wrenched  from  the  grasp  of  the  Indian,  grows  12,000,533 
lbs.  only  1-5  less  than  South  Carolina.  And  Texas,  an  embryo  empire, 
with  her  swords  newly  wrought  into  plough  shares,  is  daily  furnishing  fresh 
labourers  to  the  harvest,  and  adding  new  millions  to  the  accumulating  stock. 
This  country  contains  318,000  square  miles,  or  203,520,000  acres  of  land, 
while  the  six  principal  cotton  growing  States,  which  have  been  mentioned 
with  the  addition  of  Arkansas,  contain  but  301,000  square  miles,  or  192,- 
640,000  acres.  Climate  and  soil,  adapt  a large  portion  of  this  region  to 
cotton,  and  the  agency  now  employed  in  unpron.able  lands  farther  east,  will 
undoubtedly  be  transferred  to  Texas.  In  the  migration  we  must  expect  to 
contribute  our  quota,  and  suffer  the  double  effects  of  a loss  of  population,  and 
a loss  of  their  relative  products,  besides  so  much  capital.  'J  be  Merchant’s 
Magazine  of  January,  1844,  (published  in  New  York,)  presents  the  following 
facts  : That  the  increase  of  production  of  Cotton  in  the  United  States  for  the 
last  twenty  years,  has  been  7 per  cent.,  but  that  further  increase  could  no- 
be  attained  without  a diversion  of  labour  from  other  pursuits.  That  the 
average  of  the  last  three  years  will  give  about  3 per  cent.,  which  may  be 

assumed  as  the  probable  growth  of  cotton  for  a senes  of  years  to  come 

unless  Texas  be  united  to  this  confederacy,  when  the  labour  removed  from 
less  productive  cotton  sections  will  be  concentrated  in  Texas,  and  come  in 
disastrous  competition  with  our  interests  in  the  South.  If  then  the  cotton 
grown  in  Texas,  and  other  States  exclusive  of  that  of  foreign  countries  be 
added  to  the  general  aggregate,  a darker  cloud  must  envelope  the  prospects 
of  South  Carolina. 

Sanguine  minds  have  looked  forward  to  the  opening  of  the  China  market 
as  likely  to  create  a greater  demand  for  Cotton,  and  supposed  that  while  it 
extended  the  culture,  the  price  would  necessarily  be  maintained.  The  sup- 
ply of  three  hundred  and  sixty  millions  of  people  will  doubtless  exercise  an 
important  influence  upon  consumption,  computed  as  far  as  900,000  bags,  but 
the  extent  of  arable  land  in  the  new  States,  in  Texas  and  in  Florida,  already 
computed  will  supply  any  demand  that  may  be  required,  ai  d preclude  per- 
manent  dependence  from  so  remote  a customer.  Machinery  and  cheap  mov- 
ing power,,  competing  with  manual  labor  in  Asia,  will  tend  to  produce  a 
demand  for  manufactured  articles  fur  that  country  rather  than  a iaw  mete- 
rial,  and  the  anticipated  new  trade  may  exert  a greater  stirnulous  oil  that 
source  of  industry  at  home,  without  materially  inert  asing  foreign  exportation 
or  adding  to  the  production  of  the  staple.  But  under  any  event,  the  advan- 
tages, according  to  present  ajpearances,  unless  our  practice  is  changed, 
must  accrue  elsewhere,  and  furnish  additional  motives  on  our  part  for  vigi- 
lance and  research. 

The  important  inquiry  result*,  what  shall  be  this  change  ? What  is  our 


PROCEEDINGS. 


229 


policy  ? We  cannot  compete  in  cotton,  shall  we  increase  the  culture  of  our 
cereal  or  esculent  grains?  An  examination  may  illustrate  the  question. — 
There  is  now  produced  in  South  Carolina,  18,819,936  bushels  of  grain, 
exclusive  of  1,486,208  bushels  of  oats,  and  2,689,313  bushels  of  potatoes. 
Allowing  ten  bushels  of  this  eighteen  and  a half  millions  of  grain  to  each 
inhabitant,  in  a total  population  of  594,398,  the  consumption  would  be  near 
six  millions  of  bushels,  leaving  a surplus  of  twelve  and  a half  millions  for 
stock  and  exportation.  But  our  exportation  is  limited  to  Rice  only,  and 
deducting  400,000  bushels  for  home  consumption,  and  leaving  2,680,000  for 
exportation,  there  would  be  still  a surplus  of  10,139  936  bushels  grain, 
besides  the  oat  and  potatoe  crop  available  for  130,000  horses,  and  272,608 
head  of  neat  cattle.  But  this  redundancy,  with  the  addition  of  the  oat  crop, 
forming  a total  of  11,626,144  bushels,  besides  appropriating  a part  of  the 
potatoe  crop,  will  be  still  insufficient,  allowing  to  the  horses  six  quarts  of 
grain  per  day,  which  would  absorb  8,899,595  bushels  per  annum,  leaving 
only  2,726,559  bushels  for  stock,  exclusive  of  the  substance  of  various 
domestic  animals. 

To  reduce  this  grain  consumption,  we  have  only  the  precarious  supply 
pasturage  to  depend  upon.  May,  the  most  valuable  product  of  the  Union, 
is  almost  entirely  neglected  by  us,  there  being  but  24,653  tons  produced  in 
the  State.  I i a country  like  ours,  profuse  in  native  grasses,  and  some  of 
them  of  most  rank  luxuriance,  we  apathetically  behold  their  decay,  without 
deigning  to  gather  the  rich  store  with  which  Providence  carpets  our  fields, 
though  our  necessities  force  us  afterwards  to  become  purchasers  of  the  very 
article  so  criminally  disregarded.  This  source  of  supply  therefore,  slightly 
diminishes  the  demand  on  the  grain  crop,  which  is  thus  demonstrated  as 
insufficient  for  a general  supply  of  the  whole  State.  Accumulations  of  corn 
notwithstanding  do  take  place  at  particular  locations,  where  abundant  crops 
are  made  for  want  of  means  of  transportation,  and  this  circumstance  may 
hereafter  furnish  the  speculative  with  new  sources  of  investment,  to  open 
such  store  to  public  use.  These  facts  prove  we  have  no  surplus  grain  for 
exportation,  and  may  establish  how  an  enlarged  product  for  domestic  con- 
sumption might  benefit  the  State.  That  there  would  be  no  advantage  in 
increasing  the  product  for  exportation,  as  far  as  a demand  within  the  limits 
of  the  United  States  might  require,  the  following  statement  may  illustrate. 

The  aggregate  of  bread  stuffs  raised  within  the  United  States  in  1840,  was 
5*56,326,744  bushels,  exclusive  of  102,000,000  bushels  of  potatoes.  Of  this 
amount  of  grain,  11,500,000  were  supposed  to  be  manufactured  and  exported, 
leaving  545,826,744  bushels  to  be  divided  among  seventeen  millions  of  peo- 
ple. Allowing  the  same  ratio  of  ten  bushels  to  each  individual,  a redundancy 
of  275  millions,  would  be  still  left  in  the  granaries  of  the  country.  We 


230 


AGRICULTURAL 


therefore,  could  not  expect  by  cultivating  more  grain,  to  find  a market  in  the 
United  States.  And  the  following  statistics  prove  a European  market  would 
be  equally  hopeless. 

By  a report  made  to  Parliament,  in  1841,  contain  the  weekly  price  current 
of  grain  at  the  principal  Corn  markets  of  Europe  and  Asia,  for  seven  years, 
ending  with  1840,  the  price  of  Wheat  at  Odessa,  was  62  cents  per  bushel  ; 
at  Warsaw,  68  cents  ; at  Dantzic,  88  cents  ; and  at  Hamburgh,  98  cents, 
averaaing  77  cents  per  bushel.  And  in  Boston,  New  York,  Philadeldhia  and 
Baltimore,  during  the  same  period,  the  average  price  was  $1,40  per  bushel. 
Adding  cost  of  freight,  this  would  establish  a failure  in  a foreign  shipment. 
Mr.  Dayton  of  Ohio,  in  his  speech  in  April,  on  the  Tariff,  maintained  that 
if  the  duty  of  25  per  cent.,  on  foreign  wheat  was  withdrawn,  it  could  be 
introduced  into  this  country,  and  sold  much  lower  than  domestic  wheat. 
And  by  a comparison  between  prices  of  wheat  at  Odessa  and  New  York,  in 
various  years,  he  demonstrated  that  the  New  York  price,  was  uniformily 
more  than  twice  as  high  as  that  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  North  of  Europe, 
and  that  thousands  of  millions  of  bushels  had  been  imported  at  particular 
periods,  notwithstanding  the  duty. 

Great  Britain,  in  consequence  of  her  overfiowiug  population  and  limited 
territory,  is  always  looked  to  as  a large  consumer,  but  she  is  now  supplying 
her  deficiencies  by  improving  her  agricultural  system.  Corps  of  scientific 
men  are  now  constantly  engaged  in  agricultural  surveys,  and  their  inves- 
tigations have  proved  so  salutary  that  the  system  is  adopted  as  essential  to 
the  existence  of  the  country.  Already  in  favored  sections  the  soil  has  been 
made  to  yield  82  bushels  of  wheat  per  acre,  and  unreclaimed  waste  lands  are 
now  being  brought  into  cultivation.  For  the  last  seven  years  the  annual 
importation  of  wheat  into  En  land,  has  been  about  fourieen  millions  of 
bushels,  of  Flour  included,  but  this  amount  is  in  a fair  way  of  being  reduced. 
The  United  States  supplies  l ut  720,006  bushels  of  this  demand.  Indepen- 
dent of  this,  she  supplies  769,000  bushels  of  Paddy,  and  16,000  barrels  of 
Rice,  a large  portion  of  which  is  re-exported  to  Germany.  Cheaper  and 
more  contiguous  granaries  in  the  North  of  Europe,  pour  forth  their  abun- 
dance to  feed  this  population,  leaving  the  commercial  enterprize  ol  our  peo- 
ple to  seek  other  outlets  for  their  superabundant  products.  South  Carolina 
therefore,  can  scarcely  expect  to  advance  her  welfare,  by  cultivating  cereal 
grain  crops,  for  foreign  exportation. 

Are  our  sister  States  more  favored  than  we  are  ; or  have  not  the  most 
sagacious  set  us  an  example,  byr  directing  their  industry7  to  more  varied  pur- 
suits ? Under  developements  which  have  been  made,  the.  provident  have 
sought  to  better  their  condition  by7  fabricating  what  they  could  not  afford  to 
bay  ; or  parting  with  a redundancy7  to  necessitous  neighbors*  have  promoted 


PROCEEDINGS. 


231 


an  interchange  of  commodities  equivalent  in  its  effects  to  a barter  trade. 
The  Western  Farmer  makes  available  the  grain  and  herbage  of  his  prolific 
fields,  by  raising  immense  herds  of  stock,  which  supply  to  less  favored  States, 
animals  for  labor,  pleasure  or  for  food,  while  with  the  proceeds  of  his  hemp 
and  tobacco,  he  buys  sugar,  coffee  and  other  luxuries  of  moie  sunny  climes. 
The  South  yields  her  cotton,  which  is  transported  to  Northern  regions,  whose 
rushing  cataracts  are  stayed  by  art  to  weave  the  delicate  fibre,  and  the  ample 
fleece  shorn  from  the  countless  flocks,  that  crop  the  verdure  of  a thousand 
hills,  is  there  too  fashioned  to  shield  from  wintry  blast.  The  teemful  North 
testing  every  source  of  profit,  sends  forth  her  thousand  manufacturers,  tempt- 
ing the  fancy  and  palling  the  energy  of  supine  neighbors,  whose  streams  of 
wealth  flow  from  them  fatally,  as  the  life  blood  from  the  victim  under  the- 
enervating  influence  of  the  tepid  bath.  The  capitalists,  craftily  availing  him- 
self of  this  direction  of  trade,  and  aware  of  the  value  of  the  home  market, 
has  secured  a monopoly,  under  patronage  of  government,  and  revealed  a' 
conspiracy  against  us,  presenting  a changed  issue  to  the  whole  subject. 
South  Carolina  awakens,  conscious  of  the  fact  that  she  has  languished  too 
indulgently  in  a fatal  system  of  dependence,  and  must  now  escape  from  a 
faithless  venal  embrace.  Pride,  character  and  safety,  are  involved  in  effect- 
ing a release,  and  to  show  the  necessity,  I will  but  glance  at  our  sacrifices. 

The  Cotton  Crop  of  South  Carolina  is  estimated  at  01,710,274  lbs.  valued 
at  six  millions  of  dollars.  The  Rice  crop  at  80,000,000  lbs.  worth  two  mil- 
lions, making  an  amount  of  eight  millions  of  dollars,  the  exported  agricultu- 
ral product  of  the  State,  lumber,  tobacco,  and  some  few  articles  may  swell 
the  total  to  half  a million  more. 

Against  this  aggregate  of  eight  and  a halt*  millions,  we  have  to  bring  an 
importation  of  S3, 640, 000  independent  of  amounts  distributed  through  Geor- 
gia, Alabama,  Tennessee,  and  North  Carolina.  Among  the  items  of  ex- 
pense are  $260,000  for  Flour,  $150,000  for  Corn,  $128,000  for  Oats,  Peas 
and  Hay,  $585,000  for  Bacon,  Lard  and  Butter,  $1,775,000  for  Mules, 
Horses  and  Hogs,  $1,081,709  for  Shoes — Dry  Goods  considerably  exceed 
a million,  besides  large  sums  for  Northern  Hardware,  Machinery,  Building 
Materials,  Lime,  Granite,  Carpentry,  Equipages,  Furniture,  Hats,  Beef, 
Pork,  Fish,  Baskets,  Pails,  Brooms,  and  a thousand  other  articles,  too  tedious 
to  enumerate;  near  a million  is  also  expended  by  travellers  and  absentees. 
This  summary  establishes  that  we  expend  more  than  we  make,  and  conse- 
quently the  State  languishes  under  an  incubus,  which  will  require  a strong 
moral  force,  independent  of  activity,  and  industry,  to  remove.  And  in  ad- 
vancing these  facts,  far  be  the  imputation  that  I would  derogate  from  the 
merits  of  those  who  are  reaping  the  just  rewards  of  industry,  enterprise,  and 
economy,  human  nature  is  tempted  to  envy,  but  a gallant  spirit  will  be  evinced 
by  emulating  such  virtues  and  success. 

The  policy  of  the  North  exhibits  a totally  different  result  from  the  stale- 


232 


AGRICULTURAL 


mentsjust  given.  The  Census  of  1840,  shows  that  in  each  of  the  non- 
slavehol'ding,  or  Northern  States,  the  relative  force  employed  in  Agriculture, 
compared  with  their  total  population,  not  only  furnishes  ample  subsistence  for 
all  classes  of  the  community,  but  by  an  excess  enables  them  to  export  pro- 
visions. That  with  regard  to  incidental  wants,  and  positive  pursuits,  adequate 
numbers  are  allotted,  sufficient  to  combine  a manufacturing  with  an  an  ag- 
ricultural system,  making  the  success  of  each  incidental  to  the  other.  Some 
remarkable  developments  establish  the  practicability  of  the  plan,  as  I shall 
endeavor  to  illustrate,  by  comparing  Northern  with  Southern  adven- 
ture. 

By  the  Census,  it  appears  that  the  ratio  of  numbers  engaged  in  Agricul- 
ture, compared  with  the  entire  population  in  each  State  of  the  Union,  varies 
but  from  one  individual  in  2\  to  one  in  4£  : thus  Rhode  Island  and  S.  Caro- 
lina have  one  individual  in  2\  engaged  in  Agriculture,  and  Ohio,  one  in  4g, 
the  other  States  ranging  within  that  compass.  But  when  the  numbers  en- 
gaged in  Agriculture  are  thrown  off,  and  those  engaged  in  trades  and  manu- 
factures computed,  compared  with  the  whole  population,  it  becomes  immed'- 
ately  apparent,  how  varied  are  the  occupaiions  of  the  North,  how  their 
mechanical  force  preponderates  over  the  South  and  West  and  how  purely 
agricultural  are  the  pursuits  of  the  latter.  Thus  Rhode  Island,  as  has  been 
stated,  with  but  one  individual,  in  2|  engaged  in  agriculture,  has  one  in  five 
employed  in  trades  and  manufactures,  and  South  Carolina,  with  one  in  24 
■ engaged  in  agriculture,  has  but  one  in  57  employed  in  trades  and  manu- 
ifuctures.  To  make  the  statement  more  glaring,  I must  attach  a compendi- 
um at  the  hazard  of  prolixity,  and  proceed  to  state  that  Massachusetts  has 
• engaged  in  trades  and  manufactures  one  in  8^,  Connecticut  1 in  11,  New 
Jersey,  1 in  13,  New  York,  1 in  14,  New  Hampshire,  1 in  16,  Delaware,  1 
in  19,  and  Maine  and  Vermont,  1 in  22,;  Whereas  Georgia,  employs  in 
the  Mechanic  Arts,  but  1 in  86,  Arkansas,  1 in  83,  Alabama,  1 in  82, 
North  Carolina,  1 in  52,  Tennessee,  1 in  46,  Louisiana,  1 in  40,  Kentucky 
and  Indiana,  1 in  13  ; the  other  Western  States  gradually  decreasing  in  the 
-scale.  From  this  it  must  be  apparent  to  the  humblest  capacity,  that  the 
South  and  Western  States  which  have  been  demonstrated  so  dificient-in 
trades  and  manufactures  must  be  to  the  amount  of  their  several  wants 
dependent  some  where  for  supply,  or  according  to  the  schedule  of  Georgia, 
has  but  one  mechanic  in  86  inhabitants,  and  Massachusetts,  one  in  eveiy  8, 
and  South  Carolina,  one  in  52  ; then  Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  accord- 
ing'to  their  requirements,  must  be  in  that  proportion,  tributary  to  Massachu- 
setts or  elsewhere.  When  we  embrace  all  the  South  and  South  Western 
States  in  this  dependency,  and  call  to  mind  that  their  products  are  only  Cot- 
ton and  Grain,  both  of  vvhich  must  seek  a distant  market,  conviction  must 
flash  upon  every  Southern  man,  that  for  his  country,  a new  order  of  things 
is  necessary. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


233 


No  patriot  or  citizen  of  the  South,  can  but  feel  humiliated  and  provoked, 
under  such  a condition  of  things,  or  maintain  that  he  is  free.  What  is  free- 
dom? Is  it  that  right  of  listless  indolence  which  the  savage,  the  dotard,  or 
the  inebriate  enjoys  ? Is  it  the  right  of  locomotion,  to  wander  over  all  the 
earth,  and  return  whence  we  came  more  wretched,  impoverished  than  before? 
Is  it  the  right  of  expressing  particular  opinions  in  politics,  religion,  or  any 
other  subject?  We  enjoy  all  these:  we  squander  our  time,  roam  un- 
challenged, and  exercise  the  right  of  thinking,  speaking  and  acting,  even  to 
licentiousness.  But  I maintain  this  is  not  freedom  still.  As  long  as  we  are 
tributaries,  dependent  on  foreign  labour  and  skill  for  food,  clothing,  and 
countless  necessaries  of  life,  we  are  in  thraldom.  We  can  only  be  indepen- 
dent under  the  influence  of  just  laws  by  industry,  by  the  exercise  of  our  in- 
telligence, and  bv  improving  the  advantages  our  country  offers. 

Thus  I have  attempted  to  demonstrate  our  waning  fortunes,  our  depend- 
ence and  prostration.  The  question  can  naturally  be  proposed,  what  is  the 
remedy  ? A response  may  come  more  readily  from  the  politician.  Southern 
oppression  is  sensibly  felt,  and  has  been  ably  pointed  out.  By  constructive 
interpretations  the  constitution  has  been  stretched  to  cover  every  encroach- 
ment, but  the  drapery  cannot  conceal  the  feet  of  the  image.  There  are  con- 
stitutional means  of  redress  or  alternatives.  It.  would  be  out  of  character  in 
irre  here  to  attempt  to  define  them,  but  until  some  remedy  is  granted,  \vc 
must  use  all  the  palliatives  in  our  power.  I speak  as  an  agriculturalist,  and 
wish  you  not  to  suppose  I for  a moment  forget  my  proper  subject.  1 say  we 
can  refuse  to  feed  the  oppressor.  As  agriculturalists,  an  important  respon- 
sibility devolves  upon  us,  and  by  somewhat  of  a change  of  habit  it  can  be 
redeemed.  One  great  error  amongst  us  is,  that  we  plant  too  much,  and  farm 
too  little  ; another,  that  we  do  not  use  a judicious  economy  in  applying  super- 
fluous plantation  labour  to  the  necessities  of  our  own  requirements,  to  our 
domestic  wants,  to  the  making  of  our  own  negro  clothes,  shoes  and  planta- 
tion implements.  We  allow  the  negroes  to  become  an  expense  of  more 
than  two  and  a half  million  of  dollars  for  clothing,  corn,  bacon  and  tobacco, 
and  their  plantation  implements. 

This  drain  can  be  avoided.  Abstract  from  field  work,  a few  negroes,  prin- 
cipally the  old  and  young,  or  those  partially  disabled  to  fabricate  the  ar- 
ticles just  enumerated,  and  assume  that  the  value  of  these  articles,  heretofore 
purchased  out  of  the  proceeds  of  the  crop  is  saved,  here  will  in  addition  be 
so  much  supplied,  constituting  the  proprietor  doubly  a gainer,  as  he  has  saved 
and  made.  Or  let  it  be  granted  that  the  crop  may  be  slightly  diminished  by 
withdrawing  from  tillage  some  inefficient  hands,  still  a trifling  proportion 
will  be  maintained  between  the  aggregate  gain  or  loss.  If  in  the  gradual 
developement  of  this  defensive  plan  it  be  found  advantageous  to  the  State  to 


234 


AGRICULTURAL 


manufacture,  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  districts  possess  the  capabilities  to 
do  so,  the  falls  of  the  rivers  arc  with  them,  and  they  may  assume  to  other 
portions  of  the  S:ate,  the  present  position  of  the  North,  supplying  mul  tifarious 
commodities,  and  diffusing  and  receiving  reciprocal  advantages.  In  mak- 
ing these  suggestions,  I point  out  to  our  upper  countrymen  a road  to  fortune. 
They  can  grow  wheat,  hay,  grain,  and  raise  stock,  and  may  always  find  as 
good  a market  at  home,  as  does  the  Kentuckian  amongst  us,  and  thereby, 
to  a certain  degree  at  least,  remove  exactions  which  press  heavily,  and 
commensurately  advance  thereby  the  genera!  prosperity.  The  middle  and 
lower  sections  of  the  State  must  remain  essentially  agricultural.  By  such 
development'-,  the  firmer  will  learn  that  domestic  manufactures,  scctionally 
stimulates  agriculture,  in  promoting  the  raising  of  stock,  grain,  hay,  butter, 
cheese,  bacon,  flour,  and  all  those  supplies  required  for  a class,  removed  from 
the  tillage  of  the  soil.  These  results  have  been  demonstrated  in  Spartan- 
buig,  and  around  many  of  our  large  manufacturing  establishments.  The 
effect  of  this  diversity  of  labour  has  been  to  extend  competence  among  the 
neighboring  people,  to  improve  their  morals,  intelligence,  and  education,  and 
establish  a more  respectable  order  ofsociety.  Dependent  upon  such  a state 
of  activity  and  indust'-v,  will  be  a consequent  internal  improvement  exhibited 
in  living,  in  improved  roads,  or  construction  of  rail  roads.  Nor  let  it  be  lost 
sight  of,  that  such  a new  order  of  things  will  place  us  in  a state  of  prepara- 
tion against  all  tho  chances  of  war,  and  release  from  a position  where  at  any 
moment  by  supplies  withheld,  an  enemy  might  cut  off  our  means  of  subsis- 
tence, whilst  his  arms  completed  a melancholy  catastrophe.  Such  are  some 
of  the  expedients  to  avert  Tariff  legislation,  to  mitigate  its  stings,  to  remove 
its  oppression,  to  build  cities  and  villages  within  our  own  borders,  and  be  tru- 
ly an  independent  State.  If  South  Carolina  should  be  compelled  to  divert 
any  of  her  capital  from  agriculture,  we  need  not  despair.  No  State  in  this 
confederacy  is  more  adapted  to  manufactures  than  herself.  Her  numerous 
rivers,  with  their  tributary  streams,  all  furnish  powerful  and  extensive  water 
privileges.  Her  climate  is  congenial,  and  a valuable  material  furnished  for 
manufactures  at  the  very  doors.  A productive  back  country  yields  the 
means  of  cheap  supply  ; a highly  improved  road  passing  through  the  centre 
of  the  State,  communicating  with  the  far  west,  presents  facilities  of  trade, 
while  our  pine  land  settlers  offer  a source  of  available  labour.  Our  citizens 
have  not  been  altogether  oblivious  to  these  natural  advantages;  they  are  be- 
ginning now  to  think  seriously,  or  if  I maybe  allowed  the  cant  phrase  of  a 
thrifty  people,  “ to  calculate”  their  own  chances  of  success.  True,  indeed, 
weare  late  in  entering  the  contest,  but  we  will  have  the  experience  of  those 
who  have  preceded  us,  and  may  avoid  their  errors  while  we  profit  by  their 
success,  and  may  remedy  our  disease  on  the  hamoiopathic  principle,  similis 
similia  similikus. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


235 


Mr.  Mayrant,  of  Sumter,  was  the  first  individual  who  attempted  to  intro- 
duce a Cotton  Manufactory  into  the  State.  It  was  propelled  by  mules,  and 
from  irregularity  of  motion,  proved  a failure.  An  intelligent  mechanic  of 
Kinderhook  constructed  the  machine,  and  had  the  candor  to  acknowledge, 
that  negro  agency  in  the  spinning  department,  was  equal  to  any  other  he  had 
known,  and  that  negroes  were  fully  capable  of  being  made  excellent  spin- 
ners. 

Since  this  primitive  effort,  or  since  1833,  fifteen  cotton  and  three  small 
woollen  mills,  propelled  bv  water  power,  have  been  in  operation,  together 
with  four  iron  factories-.  The  cotton  mills  now  drive  16,355  spindles,  re- 
quiring the  labour  of  570  operatives.  They  work  up  1,962,000  lbs.,  or  near 
7,000  bags  of  cotton  into  1,746,714  yards  of  Homespun,  and  have  put  an  in- 
vested capital  ol  $617,450.  The  llivingsville  Cotton  Manufactory,  with  1500 
spindles,  works  upon  an  average  600  bags  of  cotton  per  annum,  and  adds 
$50,000  value  to  the  raw  material.  The  Iron  Foundries  employ  248  men, 
with  a capital  of  $113,000,  and  distribute  throughout  the  country  near 
$280,000  worth  ofcarron  ware,  nails,  and  bar  iron.  The  South  Carolina 
Iron  Manufacturing  Company,  produces  $70,000  worth  of  iron,  turned  out 
in  bar  iron-castings  and  nails,  employs  80  hands  per  annum,  operates  at  a 
cost  of  $44,000,  and  yields  $26,000  profit  to  the  stockholders,  and  in  ad- 
dition, furnishes  a|  market  for  5000  bushels  of  corn.  The  corporations  of 
Spartanburg,  with  Nesbitt’s,  buy  of  the  Farmers,  15,000  bushels  of  corn. 
For  these  facts,  I am  indebted  to  the  excellent  Speech  of  Major^IiENRY,  on 
Productive  Corporations. 

Leather  forms  one  of  our  most  extensive  branches  of  internal  commerce. 
A capital  of  $257,682,  is  invested  in  its  various  branches,  while  97  tanner- 
ies, employ  281  men.  The  value  of  leather  made  is  about  $468,829,  and 
that  manufactured  into  Saddlery,  &c.  $109,472,  making  $578,301.  Much 
of  this  sum  however,  goes  abroad  for  the  value  of  the  raw  material.  All 
these  factories  consume  about  75,000  bushels  of  corn  and  wheat,  with  a 
proportionate  quantity  of  beef,  pork,  and  other  essentials  of  subsistence. 

Northern  villages  have  sprung  like  enchantment  into  being  from  their 
system  of  manufactures,  and  the  planting  or  farming  interest  received  com- 
mensurate advantages,  the  product  of  bread-stuffs  and  provisions  have  become 
stimulated,  and  the  price  ofland  enhanced.  In  no  State  has  agriculture  and 
the  price  of  land  increased,  more  than  in  New  Jersey,  and  according  to  her 
population,  she  is  one  of  our  largest  manufacturing  States.  In  ti  e Western 
part  of  New  York,  in  Ohio,  and  the  larger  and  Western  States,  are  many 
Woollen  factories,  which  consume  all  the  wool  raised  by  the  Farmers  aiound 
them,  who  are  in  turn  supplied  with  clothing  adapted  to  their  wants.  These 
companies  command  the  products  of  their  immediate  neighborhoods,  are  La- 


23G 


AGRICULTURAL 


dependent  of  legislation,  and  require  no  protection.  The  aggregate  manu- 
factures of  these  isolated  establishments  throughout  the  West,  are  estimated 
to  amount  to  more  than  those  of  New  England. — Herald. 

Such  facts  should  direct  attention  to  Sheep  Husbandry.  To  this  depart- 
ment  of  agriculture,  little  attention  has  been  paid.  We  number  in  the  State 
but  232,981  Sheep,  and  cut  299,170  lbs.  of  Wool,  while  Vermont,  with  a 
population  of  300,000,  raises  1,631,000  Sheep,  and  cuts  3 699,000  lbs.  of 
Wool.  Of  the  congeniality  of  our  State,  and  bordering  Southern  States, 
to  the  production  of  Wool,  1 would  draw  a favourable  conclusion  from  rela- 
tive circumstances,  and  would  refer  to  historical  Lets,  narrated  before  Con- 
gress by  Mr.  Collamar,  of  Chio.  fie  says  that  “in  1826,  a deputation  was 
sent  from  New  Jersey,  to  Saxony,  to  purchase  Sheep,  which  bore  the  ccle- 
braled  Saxony  Wool,  and  they  brought  out  a number  to  this  country. 
They  were  tried  in  Vermont,  but  found  too  small  and  weak  to  stand  the 
severity  of  the  climate,  but  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  and  other  States 
farther  south,  they  did  very  well.”  The  mountainous  climate  of  Spain  and 
our  own  is  similar,  and  as  fine  quality  Wool  might  be  grown  in  Pendleton, 
Greenville,  Spartanburg  and  neighboring  Alleghany  Mountains,  as  on  those 
of  Estramadura.  If  we  trace  the  introduction  of  this  peculiar  breed  of 
Sheep,  now  called  Saxony  Sheep,  into  Germany,  we  will  derive  additional 
encouragement.  Mr.  Collamar  continues,  “ in  1794,  a small  flock  of  fine 
Wooled  Merino  Sheep  was  sent  as  a present  by  the  King  of  Spain  to  the  elec- 
tor of  Saxony,  whence  the  entire  product  of  Saxony  Wool,  now  of  such  im- 
mense value. 

In  1899,  the  pressure  on  the  Spanish  Treasury,  during  the  invasion  of  the 
French,  led  to  the  sale  of  some  valuable  crown  flocks.  Our  Consul,  at  Lis- 
bon, Mr.  Jarvis,  obtained  permission  to  purchase  and  export  1400  of  those 
rare  animals  to  America,  which  were  distributed  throughont  the  North, 
crossed  with  the  native  Sheep,  and  produced  the  first  specimen  of  fine  Wool 
in  the  United  States,  save  that  Mr.  Livingston  obtained  a few  Sheep  of  the 
Spanish  breed  as  a present,  in  1792.  The  wool  of  Spain  has  long  been  im- 
ported into  England  for  the  manufacture  of  fine  cloths,  and  fifty  years  ago, 
there  was  not  a pound  of  Wool  made  in  Great  Britain,  or  in  any  country  in 
Europe,  except  Spain,  fit  to  malm  the  coat  of  a gentleman.  George  III. 
tried  the  experiment  of  raising  Merino  Sheep  in  England,  but  did  not  suc- 
ceed ; 47,7~5,000  lbs.  of  wool  are  now  imported  into  England,  the  larger 
portion  of  the,  finer  quality  from  Saxony.  In  England,  they  have  three 
breeds  of  Sheep,  the  Bakewells,  ihe  Chevoits  and  the  Southdowns,  all  long 
wooled,  of  which  a fleece  yields  on  an  average  f,-om  5 to  8 lbs.,  but  no 
cloth  is  made  of  this  material,  being  all  employed  in  worsted  and  coarse 
goods.  Such  examples  of  humble  beginnings,  conducing  to  such  important 


PROCEEDINGS. 


23  7 


results,  might  excite  emulation,  and  in  due  time,  we  also,  be  clothed  with  the 
habiliments  of  successful  industry. 

Deficiency  of  capital,  is  sometimes  urged  as  a drawback  to  our  success, 
but  let  the  political  agitation  of  the  State  be  once  settled,  capital  will  quickly 
come  forth  from  its  lurking  [daces,  and  awaken  every  thing  to  life  and  vigour. 
Capital  is  like  an  icy  virgin,  it  shuns  tumult  and  war,  and  rejoices  in  law,  or. 
der,  and  security.  When  our  excitements  shall  have  terminated,  and  our 
State’s  rights  be  established,  the  facilities  of  the  country  for  improvement 
will  invite  capital  and  workmen,  and  we  will  again  begin  to  prosper. 

In  every  country,  Agriculture,  Commerce  and  Manufactmes  ought  to  be 
maintained  ; they  constitute  a bond  of  connection  to  the  community,  afford, 
ing  a more  wholesome  direction  to  investments.  Works  of  national  improve, 
rnent  and  utility,  ought  to  command  the  resources  of  an  enlightened  country, 
and  become  their  care,  their  pride,  and  their  support.  Bank  Stocks  should 
not  lock  up  too  much  of  our  money,  and  under  present  aspects,  it  may  be 
pernicious  that  so  pervading  a propensity  exists  to  investments  in  lands  and 
negroes,  to  grow  rice  and  cotton,  and  they  in  turn,  reinvested  in  lands  and 
negroes.  Under  most  favorable  circumstances,  such  property  is  incapable  of 
being  readily  converted  into  active  capital,  and  the  precarious  dependance  of 
a crop  is  too  often  relied  on,  to  meet  all  contingencies  of  debt  and  family 
support.  The  votary  of  wealth  under  such  a system,  exists  in  a state  of 
anxious  apprehension,  sometimes  of  self-denial,  whilst  even  in  the  midst  of 
accumulating  possessions.  Often  a cashless  condition  compels  to  stifle  every 
generous  impulse  which  might  prompt  to  the*  patronage  of  the  arts,  or  those 
scientific  and  liberal  institutions  which  denote  the  prosperity,  refinement  and 
glory  of  a nation.  In  fact,  the  Planter  too  often  lives  poor  to  < ie  rich,  and 
when  death  claims  his  victim,  hard  earned  accumulations  are  distributed 
among  children  who  inflict  upon  themselves  a like  pennaucc  to  result  in 
smiular  privations.  This  is  no  fanciful  picture.  Where  amongst  us  can 
be  pointed  out  such  fortunes  amassed  by  individuals,  as  arc  accumulated  in 
communities  where  agriculture,  manufactures  and  commerce  are  combined, 
where  to  acta  of  individual  munificence,  to  public  institutions,  as  distinguish 
Great  Britain,  or  New  England  States  ? On  the  contrary,  under  a purely 
agricultural  system,  w e are  constantly  under  whip  and  spur,  though  jaded 
and  exhausted.  The  changes  and  fluctuations  of  the  times,  require  a flexi- 
bility of  occupation,  and  our  State  must  vary  her  pursuits.  Then  at  once 
will  be  called  into  action  new  sources  of  employment  to  various  classes  of 
the  community — a diversified  order  of  intellect  will  be  required  in  the  capacity 
of  Merchants,  Engineers,  Clerks,  Seamen,  Millwrights,  Tradesmen,  Super- 
intendants,  Labourers,  &c.  And  might  I not  conjecture,  without  derogating 
from  the  dignity  or  genius  of  the  learned  professions,  that  a goodly  number 


238 


AGRICULTURAL 


might  be  spared  the  honorable  poverty  and  towering  ambition  of  such  pur- 
suits, to  participate  more  surely  in  fortune’s  favours.  Many  a poor  planter 
also,  might  find  his  circumstances  improved  by  employing  himself,  and  per- 
haps his  few  haqds,  in  some  more  lucrative  calling,  than  reaping  a scanty 
subsistence  after  a year  of  toil,  and  too  often  of  blighted  hopes. 

The  men  of  the  South  have  been  lauded  for  their  munificence  and  chivalry, 
but  never  for  the  ir  thrift,  and  whilst  listening  to  the  syren  voices  of  flattery, 
wily  tempters  have  carried  off  the  substance.  But  our  people  should  now 
learn  the  reality  of  their  position,  and  embark  upon  a broader  stream  of  for- 
tune than  that  they  have  hitherto  floated  upon.  They  may  be  assured  that 
dependance  upon  their  own  efforts  will  alone  aid  them,  that  the  restrictive  or 
protective  policy  of  the  government  is  firmly  fixed,  and  no  considerations  of 
feeling,  no  proud  bonds,  which  past  sufferings,  past  triumphs  and  future  hopes, 
should  have  consecrated,  will  arrest  one  hour’s  pressure  of  the  firm  knot, 
which  mammon  himself  has  tied.  Alas,  that  experience  should  have  in- 
stilled this  conviction,  inculcated  in  such  bitter  anguish,  loosening  ties  of  pa- 
ternal feeling,  and  banishing  fiom  memory  every  enthusiastic  reminiscence. 
But  wo  will  not  slumber  under  this  vampire  process,  attempted  to  be  dis- 
guised by  legislative  legerdemain  ; We  will  throw  otf  the  incubus,  struggle 
with  more  practiced  art,  and  manifest  a determination  never  tamely  to  sub* 
rriitto  the  fate  intended  us. 

Our  State  is  rich  in  vegetable  and  mineral  wealth  ; the  surface  of  the 
country  presents  every  aspect,  from  the  alluvial  swamp  to  the  granite 
mountain,  from  the  arid  pine  land,  to  the  fertile  mould,  whence  spring  the 
umbrageous  oak  and  hickory,  with  a varied  climate  corresponding  to  these 
locations.  Besides  our  present  staples,  Silk  may  be  manufactui cd,  the 
culture  of  Indigo  may  be  resumed,  at  least  to  dye  our  home  manufactures, 
the  culture  of  wheat  may  be  greatly  extended,  whilst  products  of  the  torrid 
zone  may  be  acclimated  and  yield  their  luscious  fruits.  Superficial  exami- 
nations of  sections  of  the  Stale  proposecuted  by  Dr.  Blackburn,  Dr.  Cooper 
and  Mr.  Vanuxem,  have  given  flattering  promise  of  mineral  and  geological 
treasure.  Thirty  species  of  minerals  and  ten  of  rocks  have  been  collected. 
The  Iron  of  York  and  Spartanburg  has  been  tested  at  the  Navy  Yard  of 
Washington,  and  awarded  priority  above  all  other  qualities  found  in  the 
United  States.  Other  ore  is  found  in  Abbeville  and  Pendleton.  Marble 
of  variegated  colours  may  be  furnished  from  Spartanburg.  Limestone  may 
be  burnt  cheaply  and  in  abundance  in  Sprtanburg,  York  and  Pendleton. 
Gold  with  luring  promise  invites  the  sanguine  digger  to  Spartauburg,  Lan- 
caster, Union  and  Abbeville.  Iron  pyrites,  from  which  sulphcr  may  be  ob- 
tained, and  copperas  also,  is  discovered  in  York,  Spartanburg  and  Abbeville. 
Lead  ore  is  found  in  Pendleton,  Greenville  and  York,  while  granite  of  vari- 
ous qualities  is  abundant  in  many  of  the  upper  districts’. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


239 


Whilst  nature  presents  to  our  mountain  districts  these  rich  and  glittering 
treasures,  she  has  based  the  country  below  the  falls  of  the  rivers  upon  a 
calcareous  formation,  which,  when  spread  upon  the  surface  of  the  soil, 
imparts  exhaustless  fertility.  This  formation  is  marl,  and  consists,  accord- 
ing to  Jackson,  of  a variety  of  clay,  containing  carbonate  of  lime.  The 
Report  of  our  late  Agricultural  Surveyor,  Mr.  Ruffin,  has  imparted  a mass 
of  information  on  this  manure,  which  has  kindied  a spirit  of  inquiry,  and 
given  an  impetus  to  the  agriculture  of  the  country,  resulting  in  incalculable 
value. 

To  improve  these  prospects,  we  must  avail  ourselves  of  the  proper  means, 
employing  competent  instructors.  We  must  have  Agricultural  and  Geo- 
logical  Surveyors,  pioneering  in  the  march  of  improvement  and  searching 
out  the  riches  of  the  land.  We  must  have  Agricultural  and  Geological 
Professorships  in  our  colleges,  and  lectures  on  these  subjects  delivered 
throughout  the  country,  as  now  practised  in  Scotland,  carrying  information 
to  the  cottage  of  the  husbandman,  and  removing  the  impression  that  agri- 
cultural knowledge  is  intuitive.  All  intelligent  and  populous  nations  are  now 
investigating  the  capacity  of  their  soils,  and  employing  the  ablest  Chemists 
and  Geologists  to  analyze  and  instruct  in  the  means  of  restoring  the  effects 
of  exhaustion,  or  correcting  deficiencies  of  structure.  In  England,  Agri- 
cultural Surveyors  are  appointed  to  every  county,  and  improved  reports 
rendered  every  year.  France,  Germany'  and  Switzerland,  have  become 
prototypes,  and  even  Russia  is  cheering  her  chilled  soil  by  the  warm  and 
invigorating  process  of  scientific  culture.  Most  of  the  States  of  this  Union 
have  made  superficial  examinations  within  their  territories,  and  South  Caro- 
lina has  but  just  commenced  a similar  investigation.  I trust  that  no  sec- 
tional  jealousies  or  impatience  of  expected  results  will  induce  an  abandon- 
ment of  the  measure.  The  investigations  are  yet  incomplete  and  under 
progress,  and  consistency  as  we’l  as  our  own  advantage  will,  I hope,  prompt 
to  a continuance.  The  end  of  all  government  is  at  last  but  individual  frui- 
tion and  security,  and  in  this  enlightened  age,  these  must  he  promoted  by 
Science.  Permanent  or  increased  population  is  a test  of  success,  and  in  a 
population  like  the  United  States,  with  an  insatiate  propensity  to  change, 
and  South  Carolina  having  so  much  to  contend  against,  every  source  of  em- 
ployment should  be  laid  open  which  could  engage  capital,  yield  employment, 
retard  emigration,  and  advance  the  power  of  the  State.  I look  to 
the  results  of  this  survey  as  tending  materially  to  this  end,  and  would  press  it 
upon  public  regard. 

Indeed  l experience  a personal  attachment  to  this  measure,  and  would 
indulge  a gush  of  feeling  in  addressing  an  appeal  to  each  member  of  the 
Legislature  for  this  cherished  hope.  Whilst  an  honored  associate  and  co- 
worker with  you,  I encountered  by  the  way  side  this  wretched  foundling, 


240 


AGRICULTURAL 


feeble,  friendless  and  exposed  to  the  contempt  and  obloquy  of  a thoughtless 
multitude.  I regarded  its  condition,  was  struck  with  its  comeliness  and 
promise,  fostered  it  in  distress,  and  by  your  partiality  and  kindness,  con- 
ferred on  it  a local  habitation  and  a name.  Now,  that  the  foster  father  is 
removed  to  private  life,  and  can  no  more  in  the  rude  assaults  of  enemies, 
defend  and  protect  the  Unhappy  bandit  g,  to  your  sympathy  and  generous 
care  I consign  the  poor  orphan.  Receive  with  favour  the  Agricultural  and 
Geological  survey  of  the  State,  continue  your  care— cherish  and  support, 
be  its  guardian  and  prop.  It  is  now  young,  but  promising,  and  will  not  fail 
at  maturity  to  reward  your  nurture.  Individual  fortunes  may  yet  be  derived 
from  it  : like  many  an  orphan,  it  may  bring  the  blessings  of  heaven  on  the 
heart  that  pities,  the  charity  that  befriends,  and  become  a crown  of  glory  to 
the  land  where  its  honor  dwelleth.  And  now  gentlemen,  breathing  one  as. 
piration  for  the  advancement  of  my  native  State,  and  a God-speed  to  the 
efforts  of  this  society,  I offer  my  thanks  for  your  attention,  and  bid  you  my 
grateful  adieu. 


AN  AGRICULTURAL  ADDRESS 


25  Y T2EE  I10Y0Z2  4BLE  JOSE  12.  POINSETT. 

Seliveeed  bbfjee  the  state  asriccfltijral  sjciett,  27th  NOV.  1345. 


Mr.  President  and  Members  of  the  Slate  Agricultural  Socielg. 

The  satisfaction  of  addressing  yon  on  this  occasion  is  tempered  by  mourn- 
ful recollections. 

At  your  last  Anniversary  celebration,  you  listened  to  one  who  was  endeared 
to  us  all  by  liis  many  amiable  and  estimable  qualities.  Our  friend  and  com- 
panion stood  where  I now  stand,  and  in  all  the  pride  of  conscious  usefulness, 
and  with  all  the  ardour  of  an  ennobling  cause,  addressed  you  with  equal  zeal 
and  abihtv,  on  the  great  interests  we  are  associated  together  to  promote.  He 
has  departed  frem  among  us ; but  the  impulse  he  gave  to  Scientific  Agricul- 
ture, and  his  endeavors  to  advance  its  success  in  South  Carolina  will  belong 
remembered.  They  have  already  produced  important  results,  and  cannot 
fail  in  the  end  to  prove  still  more  beneficial  to  the  State. 

The  most  fitting  tribute  we  can  pay  to  his  memory  is  to  carry  forward  his 
views  and  to  complete  the  great  work  of  fully  surveying  and  thoroughly  exam- 
ining every  District  of  the  State,  in  order  that  its  agricultural  resources  may 
be  discovered  and  developed.  The  concluding  remarks  of  his  excellent  dis- 
course showed  how  much  he  had  this  important  subject  at  heart  ; and  the 
whole  tenor  of  that  instructive  production  evinced  his  earnest  desire  to 
advance  the  agricultural  interests  of  his  native  State,  and  his  exalted  estimate 
of  their  value  and  importance. 

Nor  did  he  appreciate  them  too  highly;  the  most  gifted  poets,  the  profound, 
cst  thinkers,  and  the  ablest  and  most  eloquent  writers  of  ancient  and  modem 
times,  unite  in  placing  agriculture  above  all  other  pursuits  of  life.  They 
characterize  it  as  the  best  and  most  virtuous,  and  the  most  worthy  a freeman. 
But  i’t  is  more  than  all  this,  it  is  the  most  useful  occupation  in  life;  to  the  Far- 
mer, to  that  class  set  apart  to  till  the  soil,  all  other  art’s  owe  their  origin,  and 
rely  for  their  existence  and  prosperity ; and  on  the  extension  and  improve- 
ments of  agriculture,  the  creation  and  condition  ef  commerce,  manufactures, 
16 


242 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  all  the  arts  of  life  mainly  depend.  So  true  is  this,  that  the  wealth  and 
power  of  a nation  may  be  correctly  estimated  by  its  progress  in  husbandry. 
Every  improvement  in  cultivation,  which  diminishes  the  amount  of  labor 
employed  in  producing  the  necessary  alimentary  and  manufactuia!  articles 
releases  and  supports  a proportionate  number  of  persons  to  be  employed  in 
other  occupations,  so  that  the  number  of  Sailors,  Soldiers,  Artisans,  Mechanics 
and  operatives  of  every  description  depends  upon  the  knowledge  and  industry 
of  the  tillers  of  the  soil;  and  the  condition  and  progress  of  its  commerce 
and  manufactures,  and  it3  comparative  wealth  and  resources,  will  be  in  the 
jnverse  ratio  of  the  proportion  of  labor  employed  in  raising  food  for  tire 
remainder  of  the  population.  This  role  is  applicable  chiefly  to  populous 
countries  where  all  the  good  lands  are  in  culture;  for,  with  us  in  America,  the 
surplus  labor  released  by  improved  processes  of  husbandry,  may  fiud  employ- 
ment in  bringing  into  cultivation  new  lands;  and  it  likewise  applies  cnlv  to 
nations  which,  from  a proper  sense  of  independence,  and  a due  regard  to  their 
most  essential  interests,  rely  upon  the  resources  of  their  own  soil  for  their 
own  bread.  This  forms  the  only  exception  I know  of  to  the  great  principle 
of  free  trade,  “Buy  where  and  what  you  can  buy  cheapest,  and  sell  where 
and  what  you* can  sell  dearest.”  Without  the  means  of  subsistence  within 
itself,  a nation  would  be  liable  at  all  times  to  the  dangers  which  arise  from  tire 
frequent  fluctuations  in  price,  and  the  uncertain  supply  of  foreign  bread 
corn  ; and  in  the  event  of  war,  be  exposed  to  its  attendant  miseries,  pestilence 
and  famine. 

Oar  chief  efforts-  ostght  therefore  to  be  directed  to  improve  tire  quality  and 
increase  the  quantity  of  such  productions-  of  tire  earth  as  constitute  the  food 
of  man.  Never  let  Planters  and  Farmers,  or  the  nation  of  which  they  form 
a past,  be  satisfied  with  raising  exactly  enough  for  man  and  beast ; let  them 
strive  to  produce  abundance  and  to  spare  at  home,  and  to  furnish  an  overplus 
to  export  abroad.  Food,  when  abundantly  produced  in  a country,  will  be 
dealt  out  with  an  unsparing  hand,  not  only  banishing  poverty  and  distress  from 
the  land,  but  improving  the  moral  and  physical  condition  of  its  inhabitants. 
It  is  a well  established  fact,  that  the  scarcity  or  abundance  of  food,  has  a pow- 
erful effect  in  modifying  both  the  appearance  and  the  mental  faculties  of  man. 
Mark  the  diminutive  stature  and  stupid  expression  of  those  who  are  born  and 
brought  up  in  misery  and  want y and  compare  them  with  the  lofty  presence  and 
noble  features  of  those  who  enjoy  from  their  childhood  abundance  of  wholesome 
food.  It  is  our  duty  equally,  as  agriculturists  and  patriots,  to  keep  this  con- 
stantly  in  view,  fora  miserable  half  starved  population  may  be  enslaved  by  g 
better  fed  and  more  highly  civilized  classof  their  fellow  citizens.  Whereas 
a well  fed,  well  clothed,  well  educated  people,  will  maintain  their  ascendancy 
and  their  power  forever.  Buffon  says,  w coarse  unwholesome  and  ill  pre- 
pared food  makes  the  human  race  degenerate ; all  those  people  who  livei»is- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


243. 


crably,  are  ugly  and  ill  made.”  He  might  have  added,  that  they  are  abject, 
ignorant  and  slavish.  Far  be  from  us  then  the  miserable  calculations  of  the 
minimum  quantity  of  food  that  is  required  to  subsist  a family:  far  be  from  us 
the  scenes  of  squalid  want  which  it  is  so  painful  to  read  of,  and  so  harrowing: 
to  witness  in  less  favored  lands;  and  let  no  sordid  love  of  gain  prevent  us 
from  raising  provisions  in  profusion. 

If  these  considerations  do  not  induce  us  to  employ  a larger  portion  of  our 
agricultural  capital  in  this  manner,  I shall  not  regret  if  the  reduced  price  of 
some  manufactural  articles  should  compel  us  to  do  so;  fori  regard  it  to  be 
more  essentially  important  to  the  true  interests  of  the  country  ; that,  under  all- 
circumstances,  and  in  all  events,  every  individual  in  the  State  should  have  an- 
abundance  of  wholesome  food,  warm  raiment,  and  good  shelter  from  the  wea- 
ther, than  that  those  who  are  rich  in  such  blessings,  should,  by  the  high  price 
of  any  manufactural  article,  be  enabled  to  clothe  themselves  in  more  costly 
garments,  or  to  fare  more  sumptuously  every  day.  It  is  recorded,  that  in 
China,  where  there  exists  an  overflowing  population,  the  avarice  of  the  agri- 
culturists, stimulated  by  the  high  price  of  cotton,  occasioned  a famine ; and 
the  Government  was  compelled  to  direct  that  a greater  proportion  of  the  land 
should  be  thrown  into  the  cultivation  of  grain.  The  competition  with  much- 
better  lands,  and  the  low  price  of  that  article,  may  produce  with  us  the  effects 
of  such  an  edict,  and  compel  us  to  devote  more  of  the  labor  of  the  State  to. 
the  provision  crop  than  has  been  hitherto  done. 

This  subject  has  been  rendered  more  deeply  interesting  to  us  all,  from  the 
condition  of  our  State  at  this  time.  It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  afflict 
the  land  with  a general  dearth,  and  while  we  submit  with  resignation  to  His- 
dispensations,  let  us  endeavor  to  turn  them  to  a profitable  account,  by  direct- 
ing the  attention  of  our  fellow-farmers  to  grain  crops,  to  the  cultivation  of 
river  bottoms,  and  to  the  irrigation  of  upland  fields. 

A very  large  proportion  of  the  upper  districts  which  have  suffered  from 
drought  this  season,  is  capable  of  being  irrigated  by  the  mountain  streams 
that  flow  through  them.  I am  aware,  that  to  execute  such  works,  requires 
some  science.  Levels  must  be  taken,  in  order  to  determine  at  what  point  the 
river  should  be  bled  to  water  the  fields  below ; but  I believe  an  Engineer,  who 
would  make  himself  master  of  the  subject  of  irrigation,  might  confer  a last- 
ing benefit  upon  the  State,  and  at  the  same  time,  find  profitable  employment 
for  himself.  Wherever  lands  are  irrigated,  the  agricultural  products  are 
independent  of  seasons ; and  the  works  once  constructed,  the  soil,  with  less 
labor,  produces  four  fold. 

If  we  sprang  from  any  other  nation  than  the  English,  our  country  would 
have  been  more  generally  cultivated  by  the  use  of  water. 

In  that  weeping  climate,  a good  system  of  drainage  was  supposed  to  be  all 


244 


AGRICULTURAL 


thnt  was  required  : but  recently,  the  farmers  even  there  have  sought  to  avail 
themselves  of  every  facility  that  presents  itself  to  water  their  meadows. 
Although,  in  that  country,  irrigation  is  confined  to  the  improvement  of  mead- 
ows alone,  in  many  other  portions  of  the  world,  all  kinds  of  produce  are 
raised  by  water  cultm-e.  In  Spanish  America  it  was  extensively  practised 
before  the  conquest,  and  water  continues  to  be  used  ns  a substitute  for  ma- 
nure throughout  the  whole  of  that  extensive  country.  Bousingault  says,  that 
he  has  seen  rich  crops -of  maize  (Indian  Corn)  growing  upon  the  plateau  of 
the  Andes  of  Quito,  in  a sand  that  was  nearly  moving,  but  which  was  abun- 
dantly and  dexteriously -watered.  In  northern  Chili,  no  rain  falls  during  the 
summer,  hut  by  means  of  -their  extensive  canals  of  irrigation,  the  lands  are 
rendered  abundantly  productive.  In  Peru  it  never  rains  at  all.  Yet  the 
-Sugar  Cane,  Indian  Corn,  and  a variety  of  fruits  are  successfully  cultivated 
-there, -by  the  judicious  use -of  their  mountain  streams. 

In  Persia  the  land  is  peculiarly  a-ritl,  but  still  a luxurious  vegetation  is  pro- 
duced by  ithe  use  of  a moderate  supply  of  water  even  under  the  rudest  cultiva- 
tion. There  are  spots  in  the  Desert  between  Teheran  and  Tabriz,  where, 
by  the  aid  of  water,  the  country  is  one  carpet  of  verdure. 

In  China,  where  they  use  the  utmost  diligence  in  collecting  manure,  turn- 
lingevery  thing  to  account,  and  even  scraping  together  the  hair  that  is  shaven 
•weekly  from  the  scalps  of  their  numerous  male  population,  and  which  forms 
.-no  inconsiderable  ingredient  in  their  composts  : they  do  little  more  than 
•enrich  it  heir  extensive  gardens  with  them,  and  are  obliged  to  depend  upon  the 
water  of  'their  rivers  and  streams  for  the  cultivation  of  their  fields. 

In  their  contrivances  for  raising  it  from  the  rivers  where  the  banks  are 
high,  the  Chinese  display  great  industry  and  skill,  using  for  that  purpose 
wheels,  long  levers, -swinging  buckets,  and  the  like.  They  dam  up  the  moun- 
tain springs  and  lead  the  water  along  terraces  levelled  on  the  sides  of  the 
hills,  or -carry  it  across  the  plains  in  small  canals;  and  there,  as  in  many 
other  parts  of  Asia,  water  is  in  places  raised  by  a wheel  worked  by  oxen  from 
the  bottom  of  deep  wells.  In  Spain,  -Portugal,  the  south  of  France,  and  the 
north  of  Italy,  the  lands  susceptible  of  this  improvement  are  all  irrigated, 
and  those  that  do  not  enjoy  this  advantage  are  -comparatively  valueless, 
whereas  here,  where  the  facilities  are  so  great,  We  only  use  water  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  rice-. 

During  the  past  summer,  when  our  soil  w-as  pirehed  and  our  crops  perish, 
-in'g,  springs  wore  left  to  gusli  out,  and  streams  to  How  fruitlessly  over  their 
stony  beds,  when  their  waters  might  have  been  used  to  spread  fertility  over 
-the  land. 

I ought -not  to  omit  mentioning  that  irrigation  cannot  be  successfully  prac- 
tised, without  a system  of  perfect  drainage. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


245 


The  fine  succulent  grasses  that  yield  good  hay  will  not  grow  on  wet  soils, 
nor  can  any  valuable  produce  be  raised  where  the  land  cannot  be  laid  dry. 

I earnestly  hope  that  this  subject  will  engage  the  serious  attention  of  the 
Society,  and  that  the  sufferings  and  losses  experienced  by  our  fellow-citizens 
this  year,  may  lead  to  the  adoption  of  a system  which  cannot  fail  to  be  per- 
manently useful-  > 

Although  I regard  an  abundant  product  of  bread  corn  a matter  of  the  great- 
est importance  to  the  welfare  of  a State,  and  which  should  be  urged  upon  the 
people  with  more  than  common  earnestness,  I never  desire  to  see  even  this 
interest  fostered  by  any  exclusive  act  of  legislation.  Let  it  be  left  with  all 
others  free  from  monopolies,  and  protection  to  the  good  sense  and  exertions  of 
the  people,  and  its  own  intrinsic  importance.  We  have  before  us  such  a warn  ■ 
ing  of  the  evils  produced  by  the  action  and  re-action  of  the  protective  policy 
in  the  matter  of  bread  corn  on  the  condition  of  the  working  classes  in  En- 
gland, as  will,  I trust,  deter  us  from  following  such  a pernicious  example. 

The  protective  policy  applied  to  manufactures  is  bad  enough  ; but  when  it 
doles  out  to  every  labourer  or  workman,  the  exact  amount  of  food  which  will 
enable  him  to  perform  his  daily  task,  it  interferes  cruelly  and  unjustly  with 
individual  prosperity  and  happiness.  The  sy.-tcm  of  taxes  and  tythes,  the 
minute  subdivision  of  labor,  and  the  exact  graduation  of  wages  to  subsistence, 
which  have  produced  the  poor  laws  and  the  corn  laws  in  Great  Britain,  are 
the  bitter  fruits  of  the  protective  system  in  that  country.  There  the  people 
are  compelled  to  pay  a higher  price  for  bread  corn  than  it  would  cost  if  pro- 
cured from  abroad,  because  the  parochial  and  municipal  regulations  of  that 
country  press  more  heavily  upon  the  agricultural  than  upon  any  other  inter- 
ests. And  if  the  agricultural  products  of  other  States,  where  no  such  bur- 
thens exist,  were  suffered  to  be  brought  into  competition  with  the  English 
Farmer,  he  might  be  driven  from  the  home  market. 

Thus  it  appears  that  the  Farmers  are  enabled  to  pay  the  taxes  levied  upon 
them,  to  support  the  poor  and  the  Church,  by  the  protection  they  receive  from 
Government,  against  foreign  competition,  while  the  laborer  is  too  often  reduc- 
ed to  become  a pauper,  and  a burthen  upon  the  farmer,  by  this  enhancement 
of  the  price  of  food.  And  yet,  however  absurd  and  oppressive  this  system 
is  acknowledged  to  be,  it  is  found,  in  practice,  extremely  difficult  to  get  rid  of. 
All  lament  the  evil,  but  to  apply  a remedy  which  will  not  affect  injuriously 
some  other  vital  interest  of  the  country,  is  a problem  their  wisest  Statesmen 
have  not  been  able  to  solve.  Such  are  the  dreadful  effects  of  these  unwise 
measures  of  protection  ; they  furnish  a pregnant  example,  and  a solemn 
warning  to  us  ; and  should  teach  our  legislators  to  avoid  the  first  steps  in  a 
system  which  inevitably  lead  to  great  suffering,  and  perhaps  to  revolution. 

It  is  now  acknowledged  in  Great  Brit  in,  that  unbounded  freedom  of  trade 
is  tdie  true  policy  of  the  country  but  it  is  fouad  difficulty  if  not  impracticable,. 


246 


AGRICULTURAL 


to  act  upon  this  principle,  on  account  of  the  immense  amount  of  piivate  interests 
which  has  grown  up  under  the  restrictive  system.  They  acknowledge  the 
truth  of  the  doctrines  of  free  trade  ; they  renounce  the  errors  of  their  ances- 
tors : they  are  disposed  to  impose  new  duties  for  the  purpose  of  revenue  alone, 
and  not  with  a view  of  protecting  any  one  particular  branch  of  industiyat 
the  expense  of  another;  but  they  find  it  impossible  at  once  to  abolish  a sys- 
tem so  deep  rooted,  or  effectually  to  remedy  evils  which  are  producing  the 
most  terrible  consequences,  and  stirring  up  the  people  to  mutiny.  ]n  the 
commencement  of  our  political  career  we  ought  to  profit  by  such  lessons,  and 
take  warning  by  the  sufferings  and  errors  of  the  nations  which  have  pre- 
ceded us. 

One  of  the  principle  objects  of  our  solicitude  ought  to  be,  to  instruct  the 
husbandman  how  to  raise  the  greatest  amount  of  produce  with  the  least 
expenditure  of  labor.  This,  as  I said  before,  is  t lie  secret  of  a Nation’s 
comparative  wealth  and  resources;  and  it  is  equally  that  of  the  farmer’s 
comforts  and  enjoyments.  If  the  farmer  be  compelled  to  work  from  the 
dawn  of  day  to  dark  night,  with  all  his  family7  to  aid  him,  in  order  to  feed  and 
clothe  those  who  are  dependent  upon  his  exertions  for  their  daily  support, 
there  will  be  no  leisure  for  the  cultivation  of  his  own  mind,  or  the  education 
of  his  children,  flow  often  do  we  hear  the  farmer  say  in  excuse  for  not 
sending  his  children  to  school,  “I  cannot  do  without  their  services  in  the 
field.’'  Now  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a proper  mixture  of  labor  with  intel- 
lectual pursuits  is  mentally  and  physically  advantageous:  and  the  farmer, 
while  he  avails  himself  of  the  services  of  his  sons  in  the  field,  would  best  for- 
ward his  own  interests,  by  sending  them  to  school  during  the  intervals  of 
labor. 

He  ought  to  be  instructed  to  avail  himself  of  all  the  improvements  in  agri- 
culture which  may  abridge  that  labor,  and  enable  him  to  dispense  with  the 
services  of  his  children  at  certain  periods  of  the  year,  and  at  given  hours  of 
the  day.. 

I shall  make  no  apology  for  dwelling  upon  this  subject ; it  is  vitally  import- 
ant to  the  object  this  Society  has  in  view.  So  important  indeed  do  I regard 
it,  that,  in  my  opinion,  all  our  etSorts  to  improve  the  cultivation  of  the  soil 
will  be  unavailing,  unless  we  succeed  in  cultivating  the  understanding  of  the 
people.  We  must  fertilize  the  mind  before  we  can  expect  to  spread  fertility 
over  the  land.  It  is  too  much  the  custom  to  despise  book  farmers : it  is  said 
that  the  agriculturists  who  devote  themselves  most  -successfully  to  cultivation, 
write  very  little,  and  those  who  spend  very  little  time  .in  that  way,  on  the  con- 
trary, write  a great  deal. 

True,  we  must  go  to  practical  men  for  information,  and  gather  it  from 
their  experience;  but  the  book  farmer  must  diffuse  the  information  thus  gath- 
ered, among  the  people  at  large. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


247 


We  must  instruct  the  practical  farmer  how  to  apply  the  discoveries  of  sci- 
entific men  to  the  test  of  experiment,  and  we  must  see  that  his  children  be 
enabled,  by  a good  education,  to  drink  at  the  same  source  of  knowledge  with 
ourselves,  and  learn  to  practice  approved  applications  of  science  to  the  most 
useful  of  the  arts  of  life. 

So  important,  so  absolutely  necessary  do  I deem  education  to  be  to  the  pros- 
perity of  a State,  that  I could  never  find  in  my  heart  to  disapprove  the  decree 
of  the  Prussian  Government,  which  compels  every  parent  to  send  his  chil- 
dren to  school.  It  is  despotic  to  be  sure  ; but  the  result  is  favorable  to  free- 
dom. and  highly  beneficial  to  the  laboring  classes  of  that  country. 

With  us,  the  only  despotism  that  can  be  practised  or  tolerated,  is  that  of 
public  opinion  ; and  it  ought  to  speak  trumpet-tongued  to  all  who  neglect  this 
sacred  duty  to  their  offspring.  This  is  not  the  place  or  the  occasion  to 
enlarge  upon  the  fatal  effects  of  ignorance  upon  the  well-being  of  nations 
whose  institutions  are  founded  on  the  intelligence  of  the  people  ; but  I cannot 
forbear  to  bring  to  your  view  its  effects  upon  the  agriculture  of  the  State. 

In  those  countries  where  science  has  contributed  most  to  the  advancement 
of  husbandry,  the  land  is  for  the  most  part  in  the  hands  of  large  proprietors,  and 
the  farmer  or  tenant  is  compelled,  by  the  terms  of  his  lease,  to  adopt  and  fol- 
low out  such  improvements  in  cultivation  as  have  been  found  bv  experience  to 
augment  the  produce  of  the  land,  while  at  the  same  time  they  keep  it  in  heart 
and  even  increase  its  fertility.  It  matters  not  whether  he  is  educated  or  igno- 
rant ; he  follows  the  routine  indicated  by  his  agreement  with  the  Landlord, 
and  the  whole  country  is  well  cultivated.  Here,  in  America,  on  the  contrary,  the 
farmer  is,  for  the  most  part,  the  proprietor  of  the  land  he  cultivates,  and  is 
fri  e to  practice  the  methods  he  thinks  best.  His  prejudices  have  to  be  remov- 
ed, his  understanding  convinced,  before  you  can  induce  him  to  abandon  the 
path  trodden  by  his  fore-fathers  and  followed  by  his  neighbors  ; and  not  only 
is  it  more  easy  to  effect  this  where  the  person  addressed  is  enlightened  by 
education  ; but  we  have  no  other  means  of  approaching  the  great  body  of  the 
people  but  by  addressing  ourselves  to  their  understandings  through  the  medi- 
um of  the  press  ; so  that  we  must  teach  the  mass  of  the  people  to  read,  or  ail 
our  efforts  will  be  unavailing.  Much  has  been  done  by  the  State  to  educate 
those  who  are  destined  to  intellectual  occupations.  The  establishment  of  this 
College,  and  the  support  of  its  able  and  learned  Professors,  enables  us  to 
educate  our  sons  at  home,  which  I regard  as  highly  conducive  to  their  future 
usefulness  and  happiness,  as  well  as  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country.  Those 
who  are  to  rule  the  destinies  of  a State,  and  to  giye  laws  to  its  people,  ought 
to  be  educated  within  its  precincts,  where  they  will  form  correct  opinions  of  its 
peculiar  polity  and  interests,  and  where  they  will  become  united  to  each  other, 
and  identified  with  the  people  by  the  endearing  ties  of  early  and  intimate 


248 


AGRICULTURAL 


association.  These  advantages  have  been  secured  to  us  by  the  liberality  of 
the  Legislature,  and  we  enjoy  the  fruits  and  experience  the  benefits  of  this 
wise  measure,  in  the  talents  and  acquirements  of  the  enlightened  men  that 
now  sit  in  these  Balls.  But  something  more  remains  to  be  done,  in  order  to 
diffuse  the  benefits  of  education  among  the  people — among  those  who  rely 
upon  their  daily  labor  for  their  daily  bread.  We  have  to  overcome  long 
existing  prejudices*  and  to  open  their  minds  to  an  understanding  of  the  great 
improvements  made  in  husbandry  by  modern,  science  ; and  how  is  this  to  be 
done,  unless  the  farmers  can,  one  and  all,  read  your  essays  and  instructions? 

The  large  sum  appropriated  annually  by  the  Legislature  for  Free  schools, 
from  some  cause  or  other  has  failed  in  its  chief  object.  In  the  towns  where 
the  population  is  collected  together  in  masses,  and  where  the  Trustees  are 
both  willing  and  able  to  attend  to  the  duties  confided  to  them,  these  schools 
have  been  well  conducted,  and  produce  beneficial  results  -T  but  throughout  the 
interior  of  the  State,  the  system  has  not  proved  as  beneficial  as  was  expected. 
This  is  apparent  from  the  lamentable  fact  disclosed  by  the  census  of 
1840.  A large  portion  of  our  fellow  citizens  can  neither  read  nor  write,  and 
all  of  us  who  move  among  the  people,  daily  see  examples  of  this  deficiency. 

The  great  importance  of  the  subjecl  to  this  society  induces  me  to  avail 
myself  of  the  only  opportunity  which  from  my  retired  life  is  likely  to  present 
itself,  to  state  as  briefly  as  possible,  my  views  as  to  the  probable  means  of 
carrying  into  effect  the  benevolent  intentions  of  the  Legislature. 

Looking  to  those  nations  where  the  efforts  of  government  to  educate  the 
people  have  been  most  successful,  we  find  in  every  instance  schools  estab- 
lished for  the  purpose  of  forming  teachers.  A body  of  youth  are  instructed 
in  the  most  approved  methods  of  imparting  knowledge,  and  before  they  are 
permitted  to  keep  a school  themselves,  they  learn  thoroughly  how  to  teach  : 
for  the  possession  of  knowledge  does  not  necessarily'  carry  with  it  the  art  of 
imparting  it  to  others. 

The  experience  of  other  countries  and  our  own  reflections  must  convince 
us  of  the  wisdom  and  expediency  of  thus  creating  a class  of  men  to  be 
devoted  to  this  useful  and  noble  occupation.  I cannot  hut  think  that  to  form 
such  a body  of  teachers  would  do  more  towards  educating  the  people  than  to 
distribute  any  amount  of  money  among  persons  who  too  often  and  too 
readily  undertake  duties  which  they  are  incapable  of  performing.  Parents 
and  guardians  would  cheerfully  tax  themselves  to  contribute  towards  the 
support  of  such  instructors ; and  I have  no  doubt  in  every  instance  it  woukl 
be  adviseable  to  exact  from  them  a small  contribution  towards  the  education 
of  their  children.  An  unwillingness  to  be  entirely  dependent  on  charity  for 
any  benefit  is  inherent  in  human  nature  ; and  it  is  a principle  so  strong  in  the 
breast  of  every  republican  that  it  ought  to  be  respected. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


i 


249 


It  appears  to  me  very  possible  to  combine  Normal  Schools,  the  distribution 
of  funds  among  the  districts,  and  the  payment  of  a small  sum  by  parents  for 
the  education  of  their  children  in  such  manner  as  to  give  to  all  the  people  of 
the  State  an  education  in  every  respect  fitted  to  render  them  good  citizens 
and  good  farmers. 

With  a view  to  the  latter  object,  the  plain  principles  of  Agriculture  might 
be  taught  in  the  primary  schools,  as  is  practised  in  some  other  countries, 
and  the  teachers  instructed  to  avail  themselves  of  every  fitting  occasion  to 
communicate  them  to  the  people. 

Every  farmer  in  Carolina  ought  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the  process  by 
which  he  may  multipiy  the  products  of  tire  soil,  at  the  same  time  that  he  im- 
proves its  quality,  and  augments  its  capability  to  yield  its  fruits  with  ever 
enercasing  abundance. 

lie  should  be  taught  to  what  extent  t he  cultivation  of  culmiforous  crops  in 
succession  is  injurious  to  land  and  what  description  of  vegetation  ought  to 
intervene  in  order  to  restore  its  fertility,  the  necessity  of  rotations  and  their 
most  advantageous  order;  the  importance  of  setting  apart  a portion  of  his 
farm  for  pasturage,  both  to  support  his  catile,  and  to  give  a rich  dressing  of 
green  manure  to  his  land  when  broken  up  for  tillage;  and  above  all,  he 
should  be  urged  by  demonstrations  and  arguments  addressed  to  his  self-inter- 
est not  to  cultivate  more  land  than  he  can  manure  and  tend  properly.  Every 
man,  especially  if  he  can  read  and  cypher,  may  be  made  to  comprehend  how 
much  more  advantageous  it  will  be  to  raise  one  hundred  bushels  of  corn 
from  five  acres  of  land  than  from  ten  acres.  The  difference  of  work  and 
materials  between  fencing  five  acres  and  ten,  and  that  of  labour  in  plough- 
ing, sowmg,  and  harvesting  may  be  calculated  to  a fraction.  He  should  be 
taught  to  estimate  the  real  value  of  manure.-,  that  lie  may  not  be  discour- 
aged by  their  first  cost,  and  to  understand  when  he  applies  them,  that  he  is 
placing  capital  in  the  ground,  the  interest  of  which  is  represented  by  the 
increased  commercial  value  of  the  product  of  his  fields.  Avery  moderate 
acquaintance  with  arithmetic  would  enable  him  to  ascertain  the  income 
arising  from  such  an  outlay,  but  to  do  this  accurately  he  must  be  made 
aware  of  the  durable  benefit  of  lime  and  some  other  mineral  manures  when 
applied  to  soils  deficient  in  ingredients  so  essential  to  th  ir  fertility.  The 
fertilizing  effects  of  many  substances  that  are  generally  thrown  away,  and 
wasted  on  a farm,  ought  to  be  pointed  out  to  him.  How  often  is  the  carcass 
of  an  animal  exposed,  to  be  consumed  by  birds  of  prey,  and  its  bones  left 
to  bleach  in  the  sun,  when  the  former  would  enrich  the  manure  heap,  and 
the  latter  furnish  to  the  soil  the  most  important  known  fertilizing  principle, 
the  phosphate  of  lime,  a material  so  essential  to  good  husbandry  that  it  is 
imported  into  other  countries  at  great  cost,  and  contributes  essentially  to 
the  improved  condition  of  their  agriculture. 


250 


AGRICULTURAL 


We  will  venture  to  say  that  in  no  other  cultivated  couutry  in  the  world 
are  the  carcasses  of  animals  exposed  to  be  devoured  by  the  birds  of  the  air 
and  their  bones  left  to  bleach  in  the  sun,  or  heaps  of  old  leather,  woollen  rags, 
feathers,  and  charcoal  dust  left  to  encumber  the  earth,  when  if  properly 
covered  under  it,  they  would  enrich  and  fertilize  the  soil. 

The  farmer  ought  to  be  informed  of  the  great  importance  of  solid  and 
liquid  manures  which  he  now  casts  away,  and  which  in  other  countries  are 
sold  by  the  pound  after  being  manufactured  into  poudrette  and  urate  ; and 
which  he  could  render  available  by  simply  mixing  them  with  sulphate  of 
lime  and  sulphate  of  iron.  He  should  be  instructed  when  he  clears  land, 
how  to  make  the  wood  which  he  now  destroys  and  wastes,  contribute  root, 
stem  and  branch  to  enrich  the  soil,  by  converting  them  into  vegetable  manure, 
ashes  and  charcoal : and  above  all,  the  vast  importance  of  durable  improve- 
ments should  be  instilled  into  his  mind. 

A comfortable  dwelling,  a good  barn,  smoke  house,  and  other  offices  ; 
straight  enclosures,  maJe  with  cedar,  lightwood,  Catalpa,  Sassafras  or  locust 
posts,  or  what  is  better  still,  good  live  hedges,  instead  of  the  clumsy  un- 
sightly worm  fences  which  enter  into  rapid  decay,  the  moment  they  are  laid 
down  ; a good  orchard  and  productive  garden,  with  its  Bee  palace  yield- 
ing abundance  of  honey  and  wax;  every  wall  clustering  with  luscious  grapes, 
and  the  whole  homestead  ornamented  with  flowers,  and  embellished  as  well 
as  protected  by  shrubs  and  trees  ; constituting  a residence  that  would  not 
be  abandoned  heedlessly,  without  cause  and  without  regret. 

Whereas,  it  too  frequently  happens,  that  the  farmer,  after  cultivating  his 
land  carelessly  for  a few  years,  turns  his  back  with  disgust  upon  his  worn 
out  fields  and  washed  hill  sides,  seamed  with  hideous  gullies,  upon  his  com- 
fortless house,  his  falling  barn,  and  decayed  fences,  and  sets  forth  without  one 
regret  on  his  own  part,  or  on  that  of  any  individual  of  his  family,  to  seek  a 
new  home  in  a new  country,  there  to  begin  the  same  career  of  waste,  and 
lead  the  same  life  of  unrequited  toil,  and  to  experience  the  same  distress- 
ing  results. 

Living  on  the  great  line  of  communication  with  the  Eldorado  of  these 
emigrants,  I have  seen  many  of  them  returning  home,  after  a few  years  ab- 
sence, disappointed  and  disheartened,  because  their  heedless  manner  of  culti- 
vating the  soil  had  produced  the  same  consequent  es  in  the  rich  valleys  of  the 
waters  of  the  Mississippi  as  in  the  less  favored  districts  of  their  native 
State.  The  Roman  poet,  in  speaking  of  happiness,  says,  u Est  ulubris 
animus  si  tibi  non  deficit  sequus.” 

Happiness  is  to  be  found  in  the  meanest  village  in  the  empire  if  you  possess 
a well  balanced  mind,  and  1 say  to  you,  that  a comfortable  home,  surround- 
ed by  all  that  makes  life  desirable,  may  be  established  in  the  rudest  country, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


‘ 251 


ar.d  an  abundant  subsistance  extracted  from  the  most  ungrateful  soil,  if  you 
possr  ss  industry  and  mod  rate  skill.  Does  there  exist  anywhere  a more 
barren  soil  than  that  which  nature  has  bestowed  on  Flanders?  The  un- 
reclaimed lands  of  that  country  present  an  arid  surface,  covered  with  heath 
and  stunted  pine  : and  yet  by  persevering,  well  directed  industry,  the  culti- 
vated portion  of  it  is  converted  into  a garden,  bearing  in  profusion  every 
product  required  for  the  sustenance  of  man,  as  well  as  rich  materials  for 
manufactures  and  exportation. 

It  happened  to  me  on  one  occasion  to  pass  through  that  country,  and  to 
witness  the  wealth,  comfort  arid  abundance  produced  from  a sterile  soil  by 
the  unwearying  e fforts  of  intelligent  industry  ; and  some  months  later  to  visit 
the  fertile  plains  of  Catania,  in  Sicily,  and  to  contemplate  the  squalid  misery 
of  the  inhabitants  of  a region  which  was  once  the  granary  of  Rome. 

Flanders,  so  often  the  tin  atre  of  war,  and  always  burlbcned  with  heavy 
taxes  to  support  a long  line  of  fortifications,  a luxurious  court  and  a stand- 
ing army,  overcoming  every  obstacle  and  fertilizing  a naturally  sterile  soil 
by  persevr  ring  industry  and  admirable  method  ; and  by  in  omitibie  ener- 
gy, converting  the  wilderness  into  a happy  home  and  an  abundant  source  of 
wealth  and  comfort : Whilst  Sicily,  with  fewer  political  and  none  of  these 

natural  disadvantages  to  contend  with,  is  badly  cultivated  and  rendered  the 
abode  of  poverty  and  wretchedness  by  the  slothfulness  and  ignorance  of  its 
inhabitants.  In  Flanders  the  u hole  country  bears  the  impress  of  the  vivify- 
ing industry  and  zealous  t ntreprise  of  the  people.  It  is  traversed  in  every 
direction  by  lines  of  easy  communication,  furnished  with  manufactures  in 
every  town  and  every  hamlet  to  work  up  the  product  of  its  agricultural  industry, 
providing  the  farmer  with  an  abundant  home  market,  while  affording  employ, 
ment  to  a large  portion  of  the  population,  wasting  nothing,  but  working  up 
ar.d  extracting  value  from  materials  which  are  considered  in  some  countries 
as  worthless  refuse.  Whereas  Sicily,  with  its  fine  climate  and  fruitful  soil, 
bears  the  impress  of  slothful  neglect.  No  roads,  no  canals,  none  but  the 
coarsest  manufactures,  the  land  carelessly  tilled  and  yielding  a scanty  sub- 
sistence to  the  labourer.  The  estates  belong' ng  to  religious  corporations 
and  to  the  nobility,  form  the  only  exception  to  these  desolating  effects  of 
ignorance  and  idleness.  In  Sicily,  where  nature  has  been  lavish  of  her 
choicest  gifts,  nothing  met  my  view  but  signs  and  tokens  of  the  luxurious 
wealth  of  the  few,  and  of  the  unmitigated  misery  ot  the  mnigy : whereas  in 
Flanders,  with  its  rude  climate  and  arid  soil,  every  thing  I saw  bespoke  the 
general  well  being  and  comfort  of  the  people.  The  two  countries  present- 
ing  a striking  contrast  ol  the  opposite  effects  of  virtue  industry  and  intel- 
ligence on  the  one  hand,  and  of  vice,  indolence  and  ignorance  on  the 
other. 

Another  powerful  cause  affecting  the  prosperity  of  States,  is  found  in  the 


252  * 


AGRICULTURAL 


absence  or  presence  of  Manufactures.  Both  from  observatic  n and  reflec- 
tion, I am  convinced  that  a State  entirely  destitute  of  Manufactures,  what- 
ever may  be  the  extent  and  nature  of  its  staple  productions,  will  always  be  in- 
ferior to  one  that  con, bines  manufacture!  industry  with  agricultural  wealth. 
In  the  first  place  materials  to  a very  large  amount,  which  might  be  worked 
up  to  advantage,  but  which  will  not  bear  the  cost  of  distant  transportation, 
are  wasted  for  want  of  neighbouring  manufactures.  In  the  next  it  is  desti- 
tute of  those  towns  and  villages  that  grow  up  around  such  establishments, 
affording  home  markets  for  the  produce  of  the  farmer,  more  advantageous 
than  those  at  a distance,  and  supplying  him  with  necessary  articles  at  a cheap- 
er rate,  the  price  b<  i tig  diminished  to  the  amount  of  the  cost  of  transporta- 
tion. , 

Again,  manufactures  greatly  increase  the  productive  resources  of  a coun- 
try; the  use  of  steam  and  water  power,  and  the  vast  number  of  mechanical 
contrivances  and  labour,  saving  machines  set  in  motion  by  them,  augment  to 
an  almost  indefinite  extent  the  productive  industry  of  the  country  ; while 
every  discovery  in  science  applicable  to  the  useful  arts  which  manufactures 
give  rise  to,  adds  still  further  to  its  wealth.  It  is  true  that  the  application  of 
science  to  agriculture  lias  increased  its  products,  and  that  we  have  some  few 
labour-saving  machines,  but  how  few  and  insignificant  are  they  when  com- 
pared with  those  that  multiply  a thousand  fold  the  industrial  capital  of  a 
manufacturing  district?  Where  manufactures  exist,  the  individuals  interest- 
ed  in  their  success  and  prosperity,  from  their  proximity  to  each  other,  easily 
unite  their  efforts  for  all  purposes  of  common  interest,  and  good  roads  ar.d 
canals  result  naturrally  from  such  combinations,  and  convenient  lines  of 
communication  are  every  where  established,  so  as  to  give  to  each  one  his 
fair  share  of  the  advantages  of  trade.  We,  on  the  contrary,  live  far  apart, 
and  meet  hut  rarely  to  take  into  consideration,  our  common  interests  ; and 
when  we  do  meet,  we  remain  together  too  short  a time  to  originate  or  perfect 
any  great  measure  of  general  improvement.  In  purely  agricultural  districts, 
therefore,  the  products  of  industry  find  their  way  to  market  by  miserable 
roads  and  circuitous  lines  of  communication,  to  the  great  loss  and  incon- 
venience of  the  farmer.  _ 

It  may  be  interesting  to  us  at  the  South  to  be  made  acquainted  with  the 

opinions'of  English  Statesmen  and  economists  on  the  subject  of  Southern 
manufactures.  They  say  “ we  have  no  fear  of  competit'on  from  the  man- 
ufactures of  the  United  States,  because  the  Southern  States  of  the  Union,  in 
which  the  cotton  wool  is  raised,  are  hostile  to  manufactures,  and  from  lo- 
cal defects,  and  the  description  of  people  of  which  the  lower  orders  are  com- 
posed, never  can  become  a manufacturing  country.  The  competition  there- 
fore, which  we  shall  have  to  maintain  will  be  with  the  Northern  States,  v ho 
must  like  ourselves  import  the  raw  material  which  they  aie  to  manuiac- 
ture.” 


PROCEEDING?. 


253 


What  are  the  natural  defects  on  which  so  much  reliance  is  placed  1 Have 
we  not  abundant  water  power,  a h a 1 thy  climate  and  fertile  territory  ? and 
as  for  the  condition  of  the  lower  class  of  people  on  which  they  found  their 
h'ipes  of  all  absence  ofcompetion  from  the  South,  there  are  many  white  in- 
habitants in  these  States  whose  condition  would  be  improved  by  being  em- 
ployed in  manufactures,  and  the  blacks  have  been  found  as  well  fitted  as 
others  to  conduct  these  labours.  Nor  do  ! think  that  the  co-existence  of 
manufactures  and  agriculture  in  the  State  will  in  any  degree  affect  the  policy 
hitherto  pursued  by  the  South.  In  my  opinion  the  principles  of  free  trade  are 
perfectly  compatible  with  the  existence  and  flourishing  condition  of  manu- 
factures. I ag-ee  perfectly  with  those  who  maintain,  that  to  foster  a branch 
of  industry  incapable  of  maintaining  itself,  is  a consumption  of  nuti.  nal 
wealth  injurious  to  the  country,  and  that  to  be  permanently  and  really  ad- 
vantageous, manufactures  must  grow  up  spontaneously. 

They  must  he,  so  to  speak,  indigenous,  that  is  to  say,  there  must  exist 
circumstances  affording  especial  advantages  and  facilities  for  carrying  them 
ok,  and  suck  I believe  will  hi;  found  to  exist  in  this  State. 

It  is  curious,  and  instructive  to  trace  the  improvement  of  Agriculture  in 
Great  Britain,  growing  out  of  the  increase  of  manufactures  in  that  country. 
Previous  to  the  improvement  in  cot'on  manufactures,  that  is  about  the  mid- 
dle of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  industry,  population,  and  consumption  of 
Great  Britain  had  been  for  some  time  stationary:  England  was  at  that  period 

an  agricultural  country,  and  exported  grain  to  a considerable  amount.  But 
the  improvements  in  manufactures  created  a great  change.  The  powers  of 
consumption  within  the  countiy  were  enlarger1,  and  home  markets  Were 
created  for  its  agricultural  products.  All  exportation  of  grain  ceased, 
although  the  agricultural  products  since  that  period  have  been  more  than 
quintupled.  That  they  have  kept  pace  with  the  rapidly  increasing  population 
within  so -confined  a space,  is  a very  remarkable  circumstance.  The  impor- 
tation has  been  very  inconsiderable,  as  appears  from  the  statements  made  by 
Coleman,  in  his  excellent  account  of  the  Agriculture  ot  Great  Britain.  He 
states  that  -the  average  importation  of  wheat  into  England  from  1801  to 
1810,  when  the  population  was  set  down  at  17,442,912  souls,  would  have 
given  a fraction  t*ver  one  peck  a year  to  each  person. 

From  1814  to  1820,  when  the  population  was  19,870,589,  the  quantity 
imported  would  have  given  less  than  one  gallon  and  a half  to  each  person. 
From  1831  to  1835,  when  the  population  was  25,000,000,  the  quantity 
imported  would  have  given  to  each  person  one  gallon  : indeed  in  the  years 
1833,  1834  and  1835,  the  importation  would  have  allowed  only  one  pint  and 
one-ffth  f ir  each  person — thus  showing  that  the  dependence  on  foreign  sup* 
plies  has  been  constantly  growing  less,  under  a fast  increasing  {population. 


£54 


AGRICULTURAL 


Now  there  can  he  little  doubt,  that  this  result  is  owing  to  the  establishment 
and  rapid  progress  of  the  manufactures  in  that  kingdom.  In  the  first  place 
it  appears  that  an  improvement  in  the  condition  of  almost  eyery  class  of  the 
community  followed  the  adynnee  of  manufactures;  and  that  the  progressive 
extension  of  the  use  of  machinery,  so  iar  from  lessening  the  demand  for 
labor,  increased  it  to  a great  degree.  The  wages  of  labor  rose,  and  the 
laboring  man  acquired  a greater  command  of  the  comforts  of  life.  An 
enlarged  consumption  of  the  produce  of  the  soil  was  the  consequence,  both 
of  the  improved  circumstances  and  of  the  increased  number  of  the  popula* 
tion  ; more  grain  and  more  meat  were  used,  and  the  transportation  of  manu. 
factured  articles,  and  of  food,  for  the  manufacturers  employed  more  horses, 
and  created  a demand  for  an  additional  quantity  of  corn  to  feed  them.  The 
aid  of  that  science  which  had  been  created  and  fostered  by  the  establishment 
of  manufactures,  and  had  contributed  so  largely  to  their*improved  condition, 
was  now  called  into  exercise,  to  enable  the  farmer  to  augment  the  products 
of  the  soil,  so  as  to  meet  this  increased  demand,  and  an  enlightened  system 
of  Agriculture,  was  the  consequence  of  the  united  labors  of  the  husbandman 
and  the  chemist. 

While  however,  I am  anxious  to  see  manufactures  established  in  the  State, 
because  they  will  furnish  a profitable  home  market  for  our  agricultural  pro* 
ducts,  give  employment  to  our  laboring  population,  and  gieatly  multiply  our 
productive  industry  ; supply  our  people  with  all  necessary  articles,  at  a cheaper 
rate  than  they  can  be  procurred  from  a distance;  and  biing  into  use  mate, 
rials  now  thrown  away  as  refuse ; still  I am  opposed  to  any  measures  ealeu* 
lated  to  drive  the  people  of  the  State,  to  attempt  supplying  themselves  with 
every  article  of  consumption.  It  is  not  by  raising  and  manufacturing  every 
thing  it  consumes,  that  a nation  becomes  rich,  but  by  its  people  being  employ* 
ed  in  the  u ost  profitable  manner. 

It  is  only  by  adhering  steadily  ourselves  to  the  principles  of  free  trade, 
that  we  can  convince  the  nation  of  our  sincerity,  and  expect  to  establish  the 
prosperity  of  our  State,  upon  a solid  basis.  We  ought  to  be  especially  cautious, 
how  we  qualiiy  their  application  so  ns  to  suit  what  we  may  suppose  to  be  our 
own  peculiar  interest. 

They  are  universal  in  their  effects  upon  the  prosperity  of  nations  and  states, 
and  whenever  we  perceive  the  existence  of  any  prejudice  against  them,  or 
find  any  adverse  theories  advanced,  it  behooves  us  especially  to  counteract 
such  prejudices  and  to  examine  such  theories  with  the  utmost  caution  and 
distrust,  in  the  firm  pursuation,  that  we  cannot  admit  the  partial  application 
of  a principle  to  one  portion  of  the  nation,-  and  deny  its  general  truth  as 
regards  the  whole  country. 

The  desire  to  correct  the  balance  of  trade  has  been  as  fruitful  a source  of 


FROCLEMKGS. 


255 


unjust  taxation,  and  oppressive  discriminating  duties  as  the  balance  of  power 
has  been  of  desolating  wars.  It  is  the  stalking  horse  of  the  opponents  of 
of  free  trade,  and  has  been  the  occasion  of  erroneous  legislation  in  all 
counties,  but  especially  in  England  and  America:  and  yet  elaborate  tables 
have  been  published  with  the  sanction  of  this  Society,  to  show  that  this 
State  imports  more  than  it  exports,  and  1 know  not  what  consequences  have 
been  predicted  from  such  a state  of  things.  Nay  the  evils  are  reported  to 
exist  already,  and  we  hear  of  the  decline  of  the  ancient  prosperity  of  the 
State,  and  of  its  present  miserable  condition.  Now,  as  I have  from  the  com- 
mencement of  my  political  career,  to  the  present  period,  been  a firm  believer 
in  free  trade  principles,  and  have  always  maintained  that  when  a State  is  not 
agitated  by  some  great  commercial  revulsion,  or  parnlized  bv  a stagnation 
of  its  trade,  the  excess  of  its  imports  oyer  its  exports,  is  to  be  taken  as  the 
measure  of  its  gain.  I looked  with  great  anxiety  for  the  verification  of  these 
predictions,  and  for  the  evidences  of  declining  condition  ; but  have  failed  to 
discern  either  the  probability  of  the  one,  or  the  truth  of  the  other. 

It  appears  to  me  that  South  Carolina  has  advanced  and  is  advancing  in 
wealth  and  comfort,  if  not  quite  so  rapidly  as  some  of  her  sister  Staies,  which 
have  been  more  zealous  and  energetic  in  avai  ing  themselves  of  the  elements 
of  national  prosperity  within  their  reach?  still  its  improvement  has  been 
perceptibly  progressive.  If  rapid  and  brilliant  fortunes  have  not  been  mads 
as  frequently  as  in  former  years,  when  the  State  enjoyed  almost  a monopoly 
of  the  cotton  market,  still  a more  wholsesome,  durable  and  general  prosperity 
is  diffused  oyer  the  land.  To  go  no  farther  back  than  a quarter  of  a century  j 
who  that  has  travelled  through  the  interior  of  our  State  then,  and  traverses 
it  now,  will  fail  to  perceive  its  improved  condition.  Compare  the  town  wheie 
We  now  are  with  what  it  then  was.  In  1820,  it  extended  but'  a short  distance 
from  tins  spot,  possessed  scarcely  any  trade?  was  cheerless  and  comfortless- 
to  its  inhabitants  and  to  strangers,  us  those  of  us  who  were  members  of  the 
Legislature  at  that  period  can  testify.  Look  at  it  now,  with  miles  cf  well' 
built  houses,  full  of  life  and'  spirit  sliring  commerce,  the  terminus  of  one 
rail  way  from  the  sea  coast ; and  destined  to  be  the  centre  from  whence 
others  will  radiate,  possessing  handsome  edifices, -tasteful  gardens,  good  hotels, 
and  presenting  in  every  particular?  both  the  appearance,  and  the  reality  of 
a thriving  place  of  business,  scarcely  surpassed'  in- beauty  of  situation  or  in 
natural  and  artificial  advantages  by  any  inland  town  in  the  {United  States.  Of 
the  condition  and  advance  of  the  upper  districts  of  the  State,  I can  speak  as- 
favorably,  and  as  positively. 

I reside  during  the  summer  months  near  a village  which  has  grown  up  as 
it  were  under  my  eye.  When  I was  employed  in  superintending  the  public 
Works  of  the  State,  Greenville  was  a small  and  insignificcnt  village.  It  now 


256 


AGRICULTURAL 


possesses  ail  the  elements  of  a soil J and  increasing  prosperity  ; chinches* 
schools,  and  a well  conducted  public  press,  incipient  manufactures,  good 
mechanics  of  every  description,  commercial  houses  wilii  supplies  of  all  sorts, 
and  a virtuous,  intelligent  and  enlightened  people.  Nor  is  the  country  I pass 
through  twice  a year,  retrogading  or  even  stationary. 

The  towns,  villages  and  farms,  on  that  route  are  all  improving.  Look  at 
home,  and  every  one  of  you,  and  see  if  your  own  immediate  neighborhood 
is  not  in  a more  flourishing  condition  than  when  you  first  remember  it.  Many 
of  you  were  in  Greenville  last  year,  and  in  Newberry  this,  and  did  you  net 
then  remark  the  progress  those  districts  o.re  making?  Did  you  rot  perceive 
better  houses,  better  cultivated  farms,  better  stock,  horses  and  swine,  and 
observe  generally  a more  careful  system  of  husbandry  than  existed  there  a 
few  years  ago? 

It'  this  be  so,  and  who  can  gainsay  it,  what  becomes  of  the  evils  inflicted 
by  this  long  existing  unfavorable  balance  of  trade.  Does  not  this  state  of 
things  call  upon  us  to  be  cautious,  how  we  adopt  a theory  so  totally  adverse 
to  the  principles  of  free  trade.  Depend  upon  it  that  the  balance  of  trade 
like  all  other  subject*  dependent  upon  the  skill  and  enterprize  of  individuals 
engaged  in  the  pursuits  of  Agiiculture,  Manufactures'  or  Commerce,  may  be 
safely  left  to  regulate  itself. 

They  will  protect  themselves  from  loss,  and  in  doing  so,  will  enrich  the 
the  country  ; whereas  the  interference  of  a political  regulator,  whether  a 
national  legislature  or  a state  institution,  embarrasses  them,  and  will  iri  the 
end,  prove  injudicious  to  the  class  in  whose  favor  it  is  exercised. 

It  ought  to  give  us  no  uneasiness  that  bread,  corn,  cattle,  horses,  mules, 
hogs,  hay  and  notions  of  every  description  are  imported  into  this  State  to  a 
large  amount  every  year.  On  the  contrary,  we  should  regard  the  amount  of 
this  list  of  articles  with  satisfaction,  because  it  indicates  to  us  sure  and  profitable 
methods  of  employing  our  land  and  labor,  when  our  staple  articles  cease  to 
yield  remunerating  prices.  Of  all  these  articles,  that  which  appears  to  have 
the  least  attracted  the  public  attention,  is  perhaps  the  most  important.  I 
mean  hay  : I have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  with  any  precision,  the  amount 
of  hay  imported  annually  into  Charleston  ; but  supposing  each  horse  to  con* 
surne  a ton  and  a half  a year,  the  quantity  must  he  very  considerable  indeed, 
and  at  the  present  exorbitant  price,  must  take  from  us  a large  amount  of 
produce  or  money  to  pay  for  it. 

i am  aware  that  there  exists  a prejudice  in  favor  of  northern  luy  ; but  it 
is  unfounded.  I do  not  hesitate  to  affirm  that  well  cured  Carolina  ha} , made 
from  the  natural  grasses  of  the  country,  i«  vastly  superior,  both  in  flavour  and 
nutriotis  qualities,  to  that  which  is  usually  brought  to  our  markets  from  the 
north  ; but  if  the  prejudice  can  only  be  overcome  in  that  way,  clover  and 
timothy  can  be  raised  on  our  low  lands. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


257 


The  average  product  of  upland  grass  land,  when  in  good  order  is,  a ton 
end  a half  to  the  acre,  and  on  good  meadow,  double  that  amount.  This 
would  give  in  money,  at  the  low  estimate  of  fifty  cents  a hundred,  (and  it  is 
now  selling  for  more  than  double  that  price)  fifteen  dollars  for  upland  and 
thirty  dollars  for  meadow,  besides  the  after  grass,  either  for  pasturage,  or  to 
plough  in,  as  a preparation  for  grain.  It  must  be  taken  into  account  too, 
that  to  produce  this  result,  requires  very  active  and  diligent  labor  for  only 
a few  days  in  the  year. 

But  it  is  not  only  the  money  we  should  secure  to  our  own  farmers  by 
prevailing  upon  them  to  make  hay  for  sale,  but  the  beneficial  effect  such  a 
practice  would  produce  upon  our  husbandry  throughout  the  State,  that  ought 
to  induce  us  to  use  our  utmost  efforts  to  effect  it.  1 here  can  be  no  hi^h 

O 

farming  without  hay  and  lurnips  or  other  edible  roots. 

With  these  articles  of  food,  we  can  raise  fine  cattle  and  sheep,  and  with 
good  cattle  and  sheep,  we  shall  not  only  have  geod  beef  and  mutton,  hides 
and  wool  but  abundant  crops  of  corn  and  wheat,  for  they  will  enable  us  to 
cover  our  fields  with  manure.  If  we  make  hay  and  raise  turnips  in  abun- 
dance, we  may  import  and  keep  up  the  breeds  of  short  horn  and  long  horn 
cattle  and  of  merino,  southdown,  bakewell,  and  Syrian  sheep.  We  might 
by  such  means  produce  our  own  corn  and  flour,  and  supply  our  own  markets 
with  better  fodder  and  at  a more  moderate  price.  1 am  conviced  that  if  the 
planters  and  farmers  of  South  Carolina  would  earnestly  turn  their  attention 
to  hay  making,  as  a part  of  their  annual  crop  to  be  sent  to  market,  either  in 
kind  or  on  the  hoof,  or  to  be  used  on  their  own  estates,  with  a view  to  high 
farming,  they  would  add  at  leasi  ten  millions  of  dollars  to  the  annual  amount 
of  the  productive  industry  of  the  State,  and  multiply  in  an  equal  degree  their 
own  comforts,  while  they  permanently  improved  the  value  of  their  lands. 

The  amount  of  hay  made  annually  in  the  State  of  New  York,  is  estimated 
at  between  six  and  seven  millions  of  tons,  which  at  the  lowest  valuation  can- 
not be  worth  less  than  thirty-five  millions  of  dollars  ; this  year  of  general 
scarcity  it  is  worth  double  that  amount. 

I consider  the  cured  blades  of  corn  a bad  substitute  for  hay.  However 
■excellent  they  may  be  as  food  for  horses  and  cattle  they  are  not  produced  in 
sufficient  quantity;  and  besides,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  they  can  be  stripped 
from  the  stalk  at  the  proper  period  for  curing  them,  without  dimin  shing  the 
amount  of  the  corn  crop  to  a greater  extent  than  their  value  as  fodder. — 
This  doubt  ought  to  be  solved  by  actual  experiment.  Hemp  is  another 
important  product  which  might  be  raised  to  great  advantage  on  our  inland 
swamps,  where  there  exists  every  facility  for  preparing  it  for  market. — 
An  acre  of  hemp  is  to  the  full,  as  valuable  as  an  acre  of  Rice,  and  requires 
Jess  labour  and  expense  to  cultivate  ■and  bring  it  to  market.  A rice  crop  not 
17 


ASKICt/LTtmAL 


only  requires  a greater  amount  of  labor  than  any  other  in  the  preparation  and 
cultivation  of  the  land ; but  after  it  is  threshed  out,  which  is  attended  with 
greater  difficulty  than  the  same  operation  with  ether  grains, it  is  further  taxed 
for  freight^  milling,  cooperage,  commissions,  &c.  &c.  from  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  per  Cent.  This  is  a startling  fact,  and  lessens  very  much  the  profits  of 
this  culture.  Another  reason  for  raising  hemp,  is  to  be  found  in  the  doubts 
that  exist  as  to  the  fitness  of  cotton  for  bagging  and  in  the  preference  given 
to  hemp  for  that  purpose.  There  is  no  part  of  the  world  where  this  article 
eould  be  produced  in  greater  abundance  or  of  better  quality. 

The  olive  g row's  as  well  here  as  in  Europe  or  in  those  parts  of  America-, 
south  of  Us,  where  it  has  beC'n  cultivated  since  the'  conquest.  It  is  a hardy 
free,  for  it  has  resisted  some  of  our  severest  winters.  And  it  is  a mistake 
to  suppose  that  it  will  thrive  only  within  the  influence  of  the  sea  air  ; tor  I 
have  seen'  Very  fruitful  olive  groves  on  the  table  land  of  Mexico,  of  a distance 
of  at  least,  three  hundred  miieS  from  the  Sea  coast. 

I am  thoroughly  Convinced  fh'at  good  Wine  might  be  made  if?  South  Carolina 
if  we  Would  lay  aside  all  attempts  to  raise  the  vine,  for  that  purpose,  on  poor 
sandy  soils,  or  on  any  land  not  abounding  in  calcareous  matter.  If  we  cast 
our  eyes  over  those  countries  where  the  best  wines  are  produced,  we  find  the 
culture  limited  to  the  belt  of  limestone  which  traverses  Europe,  and  to  vol- 
canic soils,  A similar  belt,  not  so  wide,  but  equally  abounding  in  lime,  runs 
through  the  southern  States,  aad  if  advantage  Were  taken  of  that  circum- 
stance,  and  of  the  peculiar  adaptation  of  the  climate  of  the  upper  country  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  grape,  good  wines  might  be  made  here. 

It  is  a mistake,  however,  to  suppose  that  really  good  wine  is  to  be  maniT- 
fitetured  by  the  same  process  that  our  domestic  wines  are  made.  Those  who 
attempt  it,  without  the  necessa'ry  knowledge  and  practical  experience,  will 
scarcely  succeed  in  making  good  vinegar. 

We  may  raise  grapes  for  the  table  every  where,  for  we  can  add  the  car- 
bonate and  phosphate  of  lime  to  the  soil  of  a small  grapery,  and  we  can 
make  a tolerable  domestic  wine  for  immediate  use  but  if  we  desire  to  pos^ 
sess  vineyards  and  to  manufacture  wine  for  sale,  we  must  cultivate  our  calea, 
feous  soils,  and  import  the  art  of  making  wine  from  France.  There  toe 
Tigneron  or  husbandman  who  tends  and  dresses  the  vines,  knows  as  little 
about  the  management  of  the  juice  of  the  grape,  scraSto  convert  it  ittto  good 
wine,  as  we  do.  The  process  is  a very  complicated  one,  and  is  if?  the  hands 
of  very  experienced,  as  well  as  intelligent,  m inufaCfufers.' 

In  the  best  cultivated  countries  in  Europe,  the  seed  plants  which  yield  oil 
are  much  esteemed,  and,  as  a rotation,  are  found  very  profitable.  Among 
these  are  the  Poppy,  and  Rape  or  C/ulza;  not  that  species  grown  in  England, 
the  Brels  sica  Napus,  but  the  Brassica  Campestris  Oleijefdf  which  is  largely 


PROCEEDINGS. 


259 


cultivated  in  France  and  Flanders,  where  it  intervenes  between  two  culmiterous 
crops.  The  culture  is  like  that  of  the  Turnip.  The  seed  forty  or  fifty  bush- 
els to  the  acre,  on  good  soil,  is  crushed  for  oil,  the  cake  being  either  fed  to- 
cattle  or  restored  as  manure  to  the  land,  and  the  haulm  cured  like  hay,  and 
fed  to  cattle  in  winter. 

But  perhaps  the  best  oil  plant  that  can  be  cultivated  in  this  country  is  the 
Bene,  Sesamum  Orienlale , introduced  into  this  Carolina  from  Africa,  where- 
it  is  used  as  an  article  of  food. 

This  plant  deserves  a place  in  every  garden,  on  account  of  the  medicinal1 
properties  of  its  leaves;  but  it  might  be  profitably  cultivated  for  the  oil  it 
produces  which  is  incorruptible,  and  after  being  kept  a year  or  two,  is  equal 
to  good  Olive  Oil  for  the  table,  and  burns  as  well  as  any  other  vegetable  oil 
in  use  in  Europe. 

There  is  another  subject  that  immediately  concerns  our  agricultural  inter- 
ests, which  has  always  appeared  to  me  to  require  farther  elucidation,  I 
mean  the  cultivation  of  our  inferior  lands.  We  find  great  zeal  evinced  and 
industry  exercised  in  attempts  to  bring  the  pine  barrens  and  other  poor  lands 
in  the  State  into  successful  cultivation.  Our  agricultural  papers  teem  with 
speculations  on  this  subject,  and  frequently  contain  accounts  showing  how 
these  lands  may  be  made  to  produce  the  Vine,  the  Mulberry,  fibrous  and  other 
plants.  Now  surely  all  this  is  premature,  for  all  these  plants  will  grow  better,, 
and  produce  more,  when  cultivated  on  good  soil : and  there  is  no  axiom  in- 
political  economy  better  borne  out  by  experience  than  that  you  cannot  resort 
to  inferior  lands  without  raising  the  price  of  produce  or  diminishing  the  profits 
of  labor. 

There  cannot  be  two  or  more  prices  for  the  same  article  in  the  same  mar- 
ket, and  that  price  must  be  such  as  will  afford  the  ordinary  rate  of  profit  to 
those  who  raise  that  portion  of  the  supply  produced  upon  the  worst  lands,  or 
they  ought  not  to  be  brought  into  cultivation.  In  rich  and  populous  countries, 
the  cost  of  producing  all  alimentary  and  manufactural  articles,  under  the  most 
unfavorable  circumstances  and  at  the  greatest  expense,  determines  the  aver- 
age price  of  the  rest,  and  the  inferior  lands  can  only  be  cultivated  to  advan- 
tage  when  the  demand  is  so  great  that  it  cannot  be  supplied  without  them- 
We  find,  therefore,  the  price  of  agricultural  products  is  always  higher,  and 
continually  rising,  in  countries  already  thickly  settled,  rich,  and  still  advancing 

O 

in  wealth  and  population,  because  it  has  become  necessary  to  resort  to  poorer 
lands;  the  price  tising  in  proportion  to  the  expenditure  of  labor  and  capita! 
in  producing  the  necessary  supplies.  Now  surely  we  ought  not  to  anticipate 
such  a state  of  things,  by  attempting  to  bring  our  very  inferior  lands  into  cul- 
tivation, before  all  our  good  lands  are  reclaimed  and  settled. 

It  will  be  time  enough  to  speculate  upon  the  best  manner  of  cultivating  oar 


2G0 


AGRICULTURAL 


pine  barrens,  when  both  the  demand  for  supplies  and  the  agricultural  popula- 
lion  of  the  country  increase  in  such  a manner  as  to  require  a greater  expen. 
diture  of  capital  and  labor  to  produce  the  same  results. 

You  are  all  too  well  acquainted  with  the  condition  of  our  State,  not  to  be 
awaie  that  we  are  yet  very  far  from  experiencing  this  necessity,  and  that  it 
abounds  in  excellent  lands,  some  of  which  are  still  in  a state  of  nature,  while 
others  have  been  abandoned  merely  because  they  were  not  suited  to  the  cul- 
ture  of  Rice.  These  inland  swamps  might,  with  very  little  labor,  be  con- 
verted into  excellent  farming  land,  and  be  rendered,  at  least,  as  productive  as 
they  ever  were,  by  a very  moderate  outlay. 

At  the  risk  of  being  tedious,  I cannot  forbear  urging  upon  the  Society  the 
great  importance  of  giving  frequent  practical  instructions  to  the  farmers  of 
the  State.  Point  out  to  them  the  great  waste  of  labor  occasioned  by  repeat- 
jng  the  cultivation  of  the  same  crop  upon  the  same  soil,  without  rest  and  with- 
out any  intervention,  and  the  ruinous  effects  such  a course  produces  upon  the 
land.  Teach  them  that  not  only  the  same  grain  cannot  be  sowed  in  succes- 
sion without  injury  to  the  land,  but  that  all  those  plants  which  extract  the  same 
ingredients,  from  the  soil,  deposit  a similar  residium,  and  are  subject  to  the 
same  diseases,  and  furnish  food  to  the  same  insects,  must  not  succeed  each 
other;  and  that  even  the  fallow  crops  of  Turnips  and  Clover  are  subject  to 
this  law  ; that  in  cultivating  light  soils  a rotation  of  such  plants  as  derive  their 
chief  nourishment  from  the  atmosphere  will  best  contribute  to  restore  the  fer- 
tility of  the  land,  and  will,  in  most  cases,  be  sufficient  to  do  so;  whereas,  in 
heavy  and  clay  soils,  no  rotation  can  be  regarded  as  complete  which  does  not 
embrace  a bare  fallow,  and  that,  by  this  means,  the  land  is  to  be  kept  from 
producing  any  vegetable  that  ripens  its  seeds,  which  can  only  be  done  by  fre- 
quently  ploughing,  harrowing  and  cleansing  it,  as  well  to  prevent  all  root 
weeds  from  ripening  their  seeds,  as  to  expose  the  tenacious  soil  to  the  mellow- 
jng  influences  of  the  frost  and  sun,  and  the  insects  to  be  destroyed  by  the  same 
process. 

If  these  rules  are  frequently  enforced  by  the  Society,  and  the  great  advan- 
tages to  be  derived  from  deep  and  subsoil  ploughing,  and  generally  by  high 
farming  insisted  upon,  the  most  beneficial  effects  may  be  expected. 

I met  with  an  observation  lately  in  an  English  Agricultural  Essay,  which 
ought  to  make  us  ashamed  of  our  negligence.  In  speaking  of  the  great  im- 
portation of  bones  from  America  into  Great  Britain,  the  writer  says:  “The 

demand  in  that  part  of  the  world  will  surely  opr  n the  eyes  of  the  farmers 
there  to  their  use,  and  make  them  reflect  that  bones  must  be  worth  more  for 
home  consumption  than  the  seven  or  eight  dollars  a ton  which  the  English 
Agents  pay  for  them.  How  striking,  he  goes  on  to  say  : to  see  the  awaken- 
ing intelligence  of  a few  thousand  agriculturist  in  our  Island  thus  rousing  a 


PROCEEDINGS. 


261 


spirit  of  enquiry,  and  pushing  forward  the  art  of  culture  in  the  most  remote 
parts  of  the  world.” 

This  is  rather  mortifying  language  : but  let  us  profit  by  the  lesson,  come  in 
what  shape  it  may.  It  exhibits  to  us  in  a strong  light  the  necessity  of  acquir- 
ing scientific  information  on  every  subject  connected  with  agricBlture,  in 
order  to  protect  our  own  interests,  a knowledge  which  can  only  be  acquired 
by  retaining,  in  the  employment  of  the  State,  men  of  science,  capable  of  im- 
parting it  to  the  people.  Our  farmers  generally,  are  not,  themselves,  able  to 
ascertain  the  qualities  of  the  land  they  cultivate,  and  yet  there  can  be  no  high 
farming,  the  most  profitable,  when  skilfully  conducted,  without  this  informa- 
tion ; for  unless  the  farmer  is  acquainted  with  the  component  parts  of  his  soil, 
or  has  access  to  those  who  can  instruct  him,  he  is  exposed  to  the  risk  of  add- 
ing to  it  costly  materials  in  which  it  naturally  abounds,  and  of  omitting  those 
in  which  it  is  deficient.  The  Geological  surveys  have  already  added  very 
considerably  to  the  agricultural  wealth  of  the  State.  The  discovery  of  inex- 
haustible beds  of  marl  is  of  inappreciable  value,  and  will  enable  some  favored 
portions  of  the  State  to  compete  successfully  in  the  growth  of  cotton,  and  in 
raising  provision  crops  with  the  naturally  fertile  lands  of  the  South  Western 
Vallies. 

Other  sources  of  mineral  manures  will  be  brought  to  light  by  the  Geologist. 
He  will  trace  out  limestone  wherever  it  is  to  be  found,  and  convey  such 
instructions  as  to  the  best  manner  of  burning  it,  as  will  cheapen  that  important 
fertilizing  agent. 

An  abundant  and  cheap  supply  of  lime  would  improve  the  fertility  of  the 
grain  growing  districts,  and  render  them  sufficiently  productive  to  furnish  the 
rest  of  the  State  with  flour.  Science  will  likewise  teach  us  the  best  methods 
of  irrigating  our  meadows  and  portions  of  our  upland,  so  that  we  may  sup- 
ply the  hay  which  is  consumed  in  the  State,  and  which  now  costs  us  so  large 
an  amount. 

In  short,  by  the  continual  employment  of  scientific  men  in  the  service  of 
the  State,  Geology,  Chemistry,  Geography  and  Botany,  in  all  their  beautiful 
applications,  and  in  all  their  varied  relations  to  each  other,  will  be  made  to 
contribute  to  the  progress  of  agriculture. 

I cannot  take  leave  of  you,  brother  farmers,  without  congratulating  you 
upon  the  beneficial  results  of  your  associated  exertions,  and  exhorting  you  to 
persevere  in  your  laudable  efforts  for  the  improvement  of  the  State  Agricul- 
ture. 

Be  assured  that  every  step  of  3'our  progress  towards  a more  perfect  system 
of  agriculture,  advances  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  your  fellow  citizens, 
and  tends,  in  an  eminent  degree,  to  promote  the  wealth  and  prosperity  of  the 
State. 


/ 


. 

. 

/ 

% 


REPORTS 


HEAD  BEFORE  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 


PRIZE  REPORT 


«F  EXPERIMENTS  SUBMITTED  TO  THE  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  SOUTH 
CAROLINA,  NOV.  1844. 


Springfield,  St.  Andrew's  Parish,  ) 

Nov.  19th,  1844.  £ 

My  Dear  Sir: — Your  letter  of  the  5th  instant,  with  the  request  “ to  com- 
municate, for  public  advantage,  the  results  of  my  marl  experiments  the  past 
year,  with  my  general  views  ; also,  as  to  the  mode  of  applying  marl ; its 
action  on  soils,  and  general  utility;”  I have  not  been  able  to  answer  before 
this ; my  excuse  for  the  delay  is,  I am  a candidate  for  the  Ruffin  premium 
offered  by  the  State  Agricultural  Society;  and  a statement  of  the  experi- 
ments to  he  forwarded  to  their  meeting,  which  will  shortly  take  place  at  Co- 
lumbia,  had  not  been  completed  until  to-day. 

As  you  are,  (I  believe,)  a delegate  to  that  meeting,  I have  concluded  to 
send  you  the  statement,  with  such  additions  as  your  letter  calls  for,  and  with 
the  request  that  you  will  lay  the  same  before  the  Society. 

In  all  Agricultural  experiments,  accuracy  is  l he  first  and  great  requisite,  in 
order  to  arrive  at  a true  and  correct  decision  ; and  though  the  experimentor 
be  satisfied  with  the  effect  visible  to  the  eye  alone,  the  actual  weight  er  mea- 
sure, when  brought  in  comparison,  is  the  true  test  of  its  worth. 

In  all  my  experiments  I have  striven  to  be  very  accurate  and  precise,  as  it 
is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  me  to  be  certain  of  the  effects  of  this  fertilizer 

I need  scarcely  now  to  tell  you,  that  my  experiments  have  been  so  deci- 
dedly favorable  to  marling,  that  I am  of  opinion  it  will,  in  the  course  of  a 
very  few  years,  be  generally  used  throughout  our  State.  It  will  be  the  means 


264 


AGRICULTURAL 


of  resuscitating  and  bringing  into  cultivation  the  thousand  of  old  worn  out 
fields  which  are  every  where  to  be  met  with. 

So  firmly  convinced  am  1 of  its  utility,  that  I have  opened  a pit  seventy  feet 
long  by  twenty  feet  wide  ; undergone  considerable  labor  in  removing  the  soil, 
which  was  from  4-£  feet  to  7 in  depth,  before  reaching  the  marl,  and  this  for 
the  most  part  a stiff  clay,  mixed  with  rocks,  etc. — very  hard  to  dig,  and  much 
more  so  to  get  clear  from  the  spades  and  shovels. 

I shall  continue  marling  yearly,  until  every  field  which  1 cultivate  receives 
a good  dressing. 

Many  planters  urge  as  an  objection,  the  destruction  of  the  old  bed  prepara- 
tory to  broadcasting  the  marl,  it  being  detrimental  to  the  cotton  crop  of  the 
next  year.  But  I see  no  objection  to  spreading  the  marl  in  the  alleys,  and 
giving  it  but  half  the  quantity  the  first  year,  and  repeating  the  dressing  the 
second  year.  This  I have  determined  to  do  with  my  cotton  fields  in  future, 
but  with  the  corn  and  potatoes  I shall  continue  the  broad-casting  of  the  marl. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

FRANCIS.  S.  HOLMES. 

Rob’t.  W.  Roper,  Esq. 

P.  S.  I have  a statement  ot  an  experiment  in  bailing  and  pumping  water 
from  the  marl  pit,  and  also  of  a successful  experiment  of  1 acre  of  marled 
corn,  close  planting — Georgia  red-flint  seed,  which  produced  over  74  bushels, 
but  have  not  time  to  send  it.  It  was  planted  as  a prize  acre,  and  not  inclu- 
ded in  my  other  experiments,  therefore  not  necessary  to  be  sent  with  them. 

If  you  will  honor  me  with  a visit,  it  would  give  me  pleasure. to  have  you 
examine  my  marl  pit,  &c. 


EXPERIMENT — (A.) — COTTON. 


No. 

Quantity. 

Manures. 

Product. 

1 

i Acre. 

Natural  soils  without  marl  or  manure, 

43A  lbs.  c’t.in  seed 

2 

1 55 

4 

33  bushels  marl,  (66  per  cent,  carb- 
lime,) 

68  do.  do. 

3 

1 55 

4 

4 cart  loads  compost,  and  33  bushels 
of  marl,  all  broad-cast, 

134  do- 

4 

1 55 

4 

11  cart  loads  salt-marsh  mud,  and  16 
bushels  of  marl  under  list, 

Oir 

142  do.  do. 

See  Appenpix  A. 

(B.) 


1 

1 Acre. 

Natural  soil,  no  marl  or  manure, 

2 

1 55 

66  bushels  marl,  broad-cast, 

03= 

1571  lbs.  cot’n.  in  seed. 
178  do.  do. 

See  Appendix  B. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


265 


EXPERIMENT — (C.) — CORN. 


No. 

Quantify. 

Manures. 

P 

1 

1 

Acre. 

Natural  soil  without  marl  or  ma- 

nure, 

8$  Bbls. 

2 

1 

do. 

5 cart  loads  compost  in  1843,  for 

Corn, 

10-J-  do. 

3 

1 

do. 

6(3  bushels  marl,  broad-cast,. . . . 

Ilf  do. 

{fciHSee  Appe 

EXPERIMENT (D.) — POTATOES. 

No. 

Quantity. 

Manures. 

1 

3 

rows  105  ft. 

Cowpcnned 

each  in  length. 

2 

3 

do. 

Cowpenned,  and  33  bushels 

rnarl  pei 

5 acre, 

. . . 

3 

do. 

4 

3 

do. 

~ | I'*  • 4-  ” 

8 do.  and  33  bush,  marl  p 

r.  acre, 

5 

3 

do. 

Natural  soil  without  marl  or  manure. 

(3 

3 

do. 

33  bushels  marl,  nr.  \ acre,. 

Product. 


Products. 


bushel 

do. 

H 

do. 

4 

do. 

4 

do. 

U 

do. 

See  Appendix  D. 


APPENDIX— (A.)— COTTON. 

Experiment  A.  Nos.  1,  2,  3 and  4.  The  field  in  which  this  experiment 
was  made,  has  been  at  rest  for  some  fifteen  or  twenty  years,  perhaps,  prior  to 
1842;  at  this  time,  it  was  covered  with  a stunted  growth  of  broom-grass, 
and  interspersed  with  a few  loblolly  or  short-leafed  pines,  and  small  live  oaks. 
It  was  cut  down,  the  broom-grass  burnt  off,  and  a part  of  the  field  listed,  bed- 
ded and  planted  in  slip  potatoes,  in  June,  which  yielded  a fair  crop;  the  bal- 
ance of  the  field,  or  hill,  was  not  planted,  (although  listed.)  until  the  following 
year,  1543,  when  the  whole  field  was  planted  in  Cotton,  and  the  result  was  a 
lost  crop. 

The  cotton  began  to  rust  in  May,  and  by  the  middle  of  August  the  plants 
were  black  and  leafless,  except  in  a few  spots,  near  the  stumps  of  the  oak 
trees.  It  did  not  average  10  lbs.  of  cotton  per  acre,  nor  grow  higher  than 
12  or  14  inches.  No  manure  was  applied  to  any  part  of  this  crop,  and  no 
difference  was  perceptible  between  the  part  planted  in  slips,  and  that  not 
planted  the  previous  year. 

The  soil  of  this  hill  is  a good  sandy  loam,  but  abounding  in  what  we  of  the 
low  country  call  iron  ore.  It  is  in  small  particles,  and  looks  like  fragments 
of  rusted  clay.  Such  soils  are  very  common  in  this  part  of  the  State. 

The  entire  field  was  listed,  or  rather  levelled,  (except  £ acre,  No.  4,)  on 
March  9di,  1844;  this  was  done  with  the  hoe,  and  immediately  afterward;’ 
carted  and  spread  broadcast,  24  cart  loads  of  marl  per  acre.  (The  carts  are 
drawn  by  one  mule  each,  and  carry  5 a f»  bushels,  which  gives  an  average 


266 


AG  R'l  CULTURAL 


of  5£  bushelstfor  every  load,  or  133  bushels  per  acre.)  Omitting  of  course 
No.  1,  and  icarting  but  16  bushels  to  No.  4,  which  had  the  11  cart  loads  of 
salt-marsh- mud  previously  spread  in  the  alleys,  and  upon  this  mud  the  marl 
was  also  spread,  and  then  immediately  listed  upon. 

It  was  all  .bedded,  April  2nd,  and  planted  in  cotton,  (fine  Sea  Island,)  on 
the  4th. 

The  following  remarks  are  taken  from  my  plantation  book,  and  were  made 
at  the  times  noted  : 

May  12th. — Great  difference  in  favor  of  the  marled  cotton  generally — 
which  can  be  distinguished  to  the  row ; it  is  taller  and  more  healthy.  The 
season  is  very  dry,  and  ail  the  crops  are  suffering  much,  but  the  marled  land 
less  than  the  unmarled. 

June  3rd  — In  company  with  two  friends,  (Planters.)  examined  the  entire 
crop,  and  their  opinion,  that  the  marled  crop  in  every  instance,  is  at  least  30 
percent,  superior  to  the  unmarled. 

June  7th. — Blossoms  in  No.  3,  Experiment  A. 

June  11th. — Still  very  dry  ! The  unmarled  5 acre,  No.  1,  is  suffering 
very  much,  looks  yellow  and  sickly. 

July  4th. — Accompanied  by  two  other  friends,  examined  the  crop,  and  found 
the  marled  cotton  far  in  advance  of  the  unmarled.  The  marled  ootton  is 
green  and  healthy,  and  the  unmarled  quite  yellow  and  sickly,  and  is  not  by' 
one  third  the  height  of  the  former. 

August  2d. — Ticked  the  first  boll  of  cotton  from  No.  4. 

August  15. — Began  to  pick  cotton  generally  from  the  whole  field — but 
there  is  very  litle  open  in  No.  1. 

Sept.  19th. — The  \ acre,  No.  1,  appears  to  be  perfectly  dead.  The  other 
portions  of  the  field  are  also  casting  their  leaves,  and  looking  like  winter — 
but  No.  3 and  4,  less  so  than  the  others.  There  is  a good  blow  in  the.  whole 
field,  (except  No.  1,  from  which  all  that  could  open  has  been  picked,)  but  the 
plant  appears  to  have  made  its  last  effort,  and  opened  the  pods  up  to  the  top. 

Sept.  21st. — Picked  through  this  field,  which  is  the  last  that  will  be  got 
from  it. 

Oct.  7th. — Picked  in  the  few  remnant  pods  from  Experiment  A. 
APPENDIX— ( B.)—  COTTON. 

Experiment  B.  Nos.  1 and  2,  was  made  on  land  that  has  been  under  con- 
tinued cultivation,  to  my  knowledge,  eight  years,  and  from  what  I can  learn, 
has  been  planted  nearly  every  year  in  the  last  sixteen  or  eighteen.  I have 
planted  it  four  successive  years  in  corn,  1840,  1841,  1842  and  1843;  and 
manured  each  year  with  a slight  dressing  of  compost,  and  sometimes  cotton 
seed  was  added  in  the  hills.  The  soil  is  a good  yellow  sandy  loam,  .^uch  as 


PROCEEDING'S.  267 

is  -considered  good  cotton  land,  and  has  produced  about  15  or  IS  bushels  on 
an  average  per  acre. 

In  the  preparation  and  cultivation  of  this  experiment,  it  was  treated  in  the 
same  manner  as  A.  The  iust  appeared  in  various  spots  over  the  entire  field 
in  which  the  acre  stands,  quite  early  in  the  season,  and  was  first  seen  in  B. 
No.  2,  which  is  the  maided  half  acre.  I attributed  it  then  to  some  irregularity 
in  spreading  the  marl,  by  which  some  spots  were  deft  without  any — but  on  a 
visit  made  to  me  by  two  experienced  James’  Island  Cotton  Planters,  who 
examined  this  experiment,  they  informed  me  that  the  best  lands  on  their 
Island,  exhibited  in  spots  the  same  appearance,  and  it  was  considered  a pre- 
maturity of  the  plant,  and  not  the  genuine  rust , as  many  believed.  It  was 
also  their  opinion,  that  No.  2 was  far  superior  to  No.  1,  more  advanced,  and 
of  a better  bearing  color. 

The  result  has  been  20£  lbs.  the  half  acre,  or  41  lbs.  per  acre,  in  favor  of 
No.  2,  the  marled  half  acre. 

A PPENDIX — (C.) — CORN. 

Experiment  C.  Nos.  1,2  and  3.  The  field  in  which  this  experiment  was 
made,  as  in  every  respect  like  that  of  B.,  as  it  is  a part  of  the  same  field,  sep- 
arated only  by  a road.  The  half  acre,  No.  2,  was  manured  with  8 cart 
loads  of  compost  in  1843,  and  planted  in  corn.  Nos.  I and  3 were  not  ma- 
nured with  compost,  but  with  cotten  seed  in  the  hill,  and  likewise  planted  in 
corn — the  yield  was  a good  one,  but  I do  not  remember  about  what  quantity. 

The  s.alks  of  this  corn  were  listed  March  5th,  1844,  and  immediately  the 
66  bushels  (12  cart  loads)  of  marl  was  broad-cast  over  the  half  acre  No.  -3  ; 
the  whole  was  bedded  with  the  Davis  plough,  by  running  one  furrow  on  each 
side  of  the  list,  and  the  corn  planted  the  same  day. 

From  the  time  this  corn  attained  its  fourth  leafia  difference  in  favor  of  the 
marled  half  acre  was  visible  to  the  row — and  I have  it  noted  on  the  1 Oth  of  May, 
when  the  crops  generally  were  suffering  for  want  of  rain,  the  No.  3 was  one 
third  higher  than  Nos.  1 and  2,  and  of  a healthy  green  color;  No.  1 was 
quite  yellow  and  much  twisted,  and  No.  2 a shade  better  than  No.  1.  In 
this  State  they  continued  until  the  rain  of  the  21st  of  May,  when  a gradual 
improvement  was  visible  in  No.  1,  and  No.  2 grew  off  rapidly,  but  a consid- 
erable difference  'in  favor  of  No.  3 could  at  all  times  be  perceived. 

When  the  silk  ifrom  the  ears  of  Nos.  1 and  2 was  green  and  pink,  that  of 
No.  3 was  brown,  indicating  a maturity  of  the  grain.  The  blades  of  No.  3 
could  have  been  stripped  -several  days  earlier  than  Nos.  1 or  2,  but  I preferred 
taking  them  all  in  fromthe  different  Nos.  at  the  same  time,  because  a differ- 
ence in  the  product  of  corn,  it  has  been  supposed,  was  caused  by  stripping  the 
blades. 


268 


AGRICULTURAL 


In  harvesting,  I found  the  ears  of  No.  3 better  filled,  on  an  average,  than 
Nos.  1 or  2. 

APPENDIX— (D.)— POTATOES. 

Experiment  D.,  Nos.  1 to  6.  The  field  in  which  this  experiment  was 
made,  has  been  at  rest  three  years,  and  when  taken  up  for  cultivation  in  the 
spring  of  this  year,  (1844,)  was  covered  with  broom  grass.  It  is  a good  and 
grateful  soil,  of  yellow  sandy  loam,  but  very  poor,  from  excessive  cultivation. 
After  ditching  it  thoroughly,  (for  the  surface  is  uneven,)  the  cow  pen  was 
passed  over  a portion  of  it,  and  the  compost  and  mar!  broad  cast  over  also ; 
after  which,  on  the  13th  of  March,  it  was  all  listed,  and  a furrow  run  on  each 
side  of  the  list,  with  the  barshare  plough,  covering  up  the  same.  It  was 
bedded  with  the  hoe  on  the  1st  of  April,  and  planted  with  cut  potatoes  on  the 
3d  of  the  same  month. 

In  consequence  of  the  drought,  they  came  up  irregularly,  and  grew  slowly, 
but  in  no  other  experiment  was  the  effect  of  the  marl  so  marked. 

The  superiority  ol  Nos.  2,  4 and  6,  on  the  3d  of  June,  was  so  decided, 
that  it  was  the  opinion  of  several  gentlemen,  who  saw  the  field  on  that  day, 
that  two  acres  could  be  supplied  with  vines  for  slip-planting,  from  the  § of  an 
acre,  say  Nos.  2,  4 and  6.  On  the  other  hand,  but  few  vines  could  be  found 
in  the  unmarled  Nos.  1,  3 and  5,  that  had  crossed  the  alleys.  The  marled 
alleys  were  covered  with  vines. 

On  the  15th  of  July  no  difference  could  be  seen  in  Nos.  1 and  2. 

I tested  the  yield  of  the  different  quarter  acres  or  Nos.,  on  the  18th  of 
October.  I could  not  dig  in  the  entire  quarters  of  each  number,  as  these 
roots  do  not  keep  well,  and  the  loss  would  have  been  considerable.  We  gen- 
erally dig  them  as  required  for  use.  I therefore  dug  three  rows  from  the 
centre  of  each  quarter  acre,  or  separate  No.;  each  row  is  105  feet  long. 

The  cowpenned  quarter,  No.  1,  although  producing  a larger  quantity,  the  po- 
tatoes were  not  as  fine  as  those  of  No.  2.  I selected  several  that  weighed  a trifle 
over  3 pounds  each,  but  could  not  find  one  in  the  No.  1 that  exceeded  2-j 
pounds.  It  never  occurred  to  me,  until  too  late,  that  I should  have  weighed 
the  whole.  I took  several  of  the  largest  to  Charleston,  where  I reside  in 
summer,  to  present  to  my  friends,  and  it  was  then  that  I was  induced  to  weigh 
them. 

Discovery  of  digging  and  carting  the  Marl. — In  the  low  part  of  an  old 
inland  rice  field,  with  an  angur  attached  to  a long  rod,  I attempted  to  bore,  in 
hopes  of  finding  marl,  but  did  not  penetrate  two  feet  before  I was  compelled 
to  desist,  on  account  of  the  rocky  state  of  the  ground  ; these  rocks  are  very 
numerous  on  the  suiface  also — many  of  them  bearing  the  impression  of  shells. 
Upon  digging  five  feet  deep,  I found  the  marl,  but  as  it  was  in  swamp  land, 
the  water  springs  very  fast,aiaJ  therefore  it  was  abandoned. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


269 


On  an  old  causeway  which  crosses  a creek  that  passes  through  the  planta- 
tion, I found  two  old  Shark’s  teeth.  These  teeth  are  quite  numerous  in  the 
marl  banks  on  the  river,  and  I concluded  that  marl  could  not  be  far  from  the 
surface.  1 accordingly  dug  a hole  about  three  feet  square,  in  a narrow  branch 
which  leads  from  the  creek,  and  which  is  overflowed  at  high  tide,  and  struck 
the  bed  4^  feet  from  the  surface,  and  not  at  till  troubled  with  water  ; the  rocks 
also  appeared  to  lie  in  one  stratum,  and  not  scattered  throughout  the  upper 
soil,  as  was  the  case  in  the  old  rice  field. 


With  two  fellows,  (prime  hands,)  I began  on  Monday,  the  ‘26th  of  February 
to  remove  the  earth  off  the  marl  in  this  pit,  which  1 marked  out  20  feet 
square  ; and  the  labor  was  not  greater  than  in  ditching  in  a fair  soil ; but  on 
reaching  the  stratum  of  rocks,  (a  layer  of  about  one  foot  thick  intermixed 
with  stiff  blue  clay,)  the  pick-axe  had  to  be  used  to  loosen  it  sufficiently 
to  allow  its  being  taken  in  the  shovel,  and  then  it  was  with  much  difficulty 
handled. 

I can  give  no  better  idea  of  the  labor  of  removing  this  stratum  of  rock  and 
mud,  than  by  saying  it  took  as  long  to  remove  it  as  all  of  the  other  four. 
The  pit  was  clear  and  ready  for  working  on  Friday  at  1 o’clock  ; thus  taking 
nearly  five  days,  during  which  time  no  rain  fell. 

The  earth  which  was  taken  out  was  thrown  across  the  branch,  so  as  to 
form  a bank  to  keep  out  the  tide. 

The  following  table  will  show  the  nature  of  the  soil  removed  from  above 
the  marl,  &c.  &c.: 


1st  Stratum,  marsh  mud  and  roots, 


foot 


2d  do.  White  sand  and  a few  pebbles,  - -0 

3d  do.  Rocks,  closely  imbedded  in  stiff  blue  clay;  these 
are  of  irregular  shape,  filled  with  holes  and  the 
prints  of  shells.  In  size,  they  are  seldom  lar- 
ger than  a whole  brick,  but  generally  about  as 
large  as  a man’s  fist,  - . . 1 

4th  do.  Dark  sand,  lumps  of  blue  clay  and  pebbles,  1 

6th  do.  Blue  and  gray  sand,  with  a large  quantity  of  fine- 

ly divided  shelly  matter,  and  numerous  mus- 
cles, clams,  and  other  shell  casts  in  marl,  with 
fish  bones  and  teeth,  - - 4 

6th  do.  Rich  marl,  of  a dingy  yellow  color,  which,  by 
analysis  of  Dr.  Lebbv.  U.  S.  A.  (Fort  Johnson,) 
was  found  to  contain  71  percent.  Curb.  Lime,  2 


a in. 


3 in. 


6 in. 


7.  At  this  depth,  (2  feet,)  the  marl  changes  color,  and  contains  but  62  per 
cent. 

Into  this  I have  dug  5 feet ; 7 from  the  top  of  the  marl,  and  about  12  or  13 
from  the  top  of  the  marsh  mud  or  surface  soil ; the  strength  of  the  marl  com 
tinues  about  61  per  cent. 


AGRICULTURAL 


I have  been  troubled  but  little  with  water  in  working  this  pit.  Water 
oozes  slowly  through  eyery  pairt  of  the  marl,  but  so  gently  as  to  be  rather 
beneficial  than  otherwise,  by  keeping  the  marl  moist,  and  rendering  it  more 
easy  for  the  grubbing  hoes  to  penetrate.* 

It  is  very  firm  marl,  and  requires  a good  blow  to  drive  the  point  of  the 
grubber  two  inches  deep,  when  the  handle,  acting  as  a lever,  crumbles  it 
easily,  or  breaks  it  off  in  lumpsf  which  are  soon  reduced  by  a slight  blow 
with  the  butt  end  of  a hoe  or  grubber. 

At  the  depth  of  13  feet,  a prime  hand,  with  a single  toss  of  the  spade, 
throws  up  the  marl  to  the  top  of  tire  causeway,  where  the  carts  are  loaded  ; 
and  in  order  to  test  the  height  to  which  it  could  be  thrown,  they  were  ordered 
to  try  and  see  how  much  higher  than  the  causeway  they  could  pitch  it,  when 
I found  each  of  them  could  throw  it  five  or  six  feet  higher,  but  I would  pre- 
fer erecting  a scaffold  and  making  two  tosses,  if  I dig  deeper  than  12  feet, 
unless  I found  it  easier  to  hoist  by  horse  power. 

On  the  causeway,  where  the  carts  are  loaded,!  keep  an  old  fellow,  (a  half 
hand,)  to  assist  in  loading,  and  while  the  carts  are  away,  he  breaks  up  the 
lumps  with  the  but  end  of  his  hoe,  and  hauls  the  marl  into  a heap. 

In  carting  the  marl,  I used  two  carts,  each  of  which  was  drawn  by  a sin* 
gle  mule  ; several  cart  loads  were  measured,  and  they  were  found  to  average 
(5^)  five  and  a half  bushels  per  load.  From  several  days  carting,  (the  par- 
ticulars  of  Which  would  be  superfluous,  and  add  much  to  the  length  of  this 
already  very  long  statement,)  I have  arrived  at  the  following  result  as  an 
average  : 

Distance,  600  yards— 10  loads  per  day  each,  the  cart  to  be  drawn  by  a 
good  strong  horse  or  mule,  and  driven  by  a prime  hand.  The  loads  are  not 
tilted  out  of  the  cart,  but  are  divided  into  three  heaps,  and  drawn  out  by  a hoe; 
these  heaps  are  made  at  regular  distances  over  the  land,  and  insure  an  equal 
distribution  of  the  marl,  which  is  too  heavy  to  spread  far  with  wenches. 
Three  hands  will  be  required  to  dig  for  two  carts,  and,  as  already  stated, 
they  must  be  prime  hands. 

In  spreading  the  marl,  the  same  tasks  are  given  as  for  broad-casting  com. 
post  manures. 

Estimated  cost  of  marling  seven  acres  of  land,  S^c. — With  2 carts,  aver- 
oging  600  yards,  it  took  five  days  to  cart  168  loads,  which  gives  each  acre 


* it  does  not  fake  over  10  minutes  every  morning  to  pump  cr  bail  out  the  wster  which 
springs  into  th'e  pit  during  the  previous  night. 


PROCEEDMtJiSj  271 

24  load's,  5|  bushels  each — 924  bushels  at  1|  cents  per  bushel,  012  3S, 
Say, 

5 days  work  of  2 carts  and  mules,  at  30  cts.  per  day,  each S3  00 

$ do.  do.  3 fellows  to  dig,  at  30  cts.  per  dayy- each, 2 7C 

2 do.  do.  2 do;  do.  at  30  cts.  per  day,  each, 1 20 

S do.  do.  2 da;  to  drive  the  carts,  at  30  cts.  each, 0(f 

$ do.  do.  1 old  hand,  (half)  in  loading  carts,  at  20  cts 1 00 

One  half  of  the  cost  of  removing  the  soil  from  the  pit,  and  preparing 
the  same  before  digging  marl,  2 hands  5 days,  at  30  cents  each, 

#3  00-“half  of  Which  is 50 


“fha  cost  of  caclv  rtore  for  133  luslietey  at  $1  34,  is  #i  TO  6-7, 


$ 12  40 


. 

' 


REPORTS, 


Black  OaK  Agricultural  Society,  ) 
November  19,  1844.  ^ 

jRe-oivcd,  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Manures,  this  day  read, 
be  communicated  to  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  to  be  read  before  that 
body. 

■From  the  minutes. 

41.  W.  RAVENEL,  Secretary. 


REPORT : 


The  Committee  on  Manures,  in  pursuance  of  the  Resolution  under  which 
they  are  required,  at  the  fall  meeting  of  the  Society,  to  report,  concerning 
“the  best  and  most  economical  mode  of  collecting  and  preparing  manures; 
the  time  and  manner  of  their  application;  the  adaptation  cf  certain  manures 
to  certain  crops,  with  a detailed  account  of  all  experiments  on  the  subject 
which  have  been  carefully  conducted  and  the  tesults  accurately  noted  ;”  beg 
leave  to  observe,  that  the  wide  range  of  duty  committed  to  them  requires 
more  time  than  has  elapsed  sietce  their  appointment.  Sensible,  however,  of 
the  vast  importance  -cf  the  subject,  they  have  entered  seriously  and  faithfully 
into  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  and  offer  the  following  as  a Report,  only  in 
part. 

It  is  due,  however,  to  the  Society,  to  premise  that  the  direction  which  has 
■been  given  to  our  labors,  is  one  Which  can  hardly  be  said  to  be  comprehended 
in  the  resolution  under  Which 'this  report  is  presented.  Believing,  however, 
that  the  points  to  which  we  are  desirous  of  drawing  the  attention  of  the  Socie- 
ty, are  of  vital  importance  to  our  interests,  we  offer  no  apology  for  our  appar- 
ent deviation  from  the  letter  of  the  chart  laid  down  for  our  government. 

It  is  but  a Very  few  years  since,  within  the  limits  of  this  Society,  the  ben- 
efits of  manures  were  mooted  at  every  social  meeting  ; and  even  now,  though 
eo  one  is  so  outwardly  heretical  as  to  question  their  ability,  there  are  yet 
19 


274 


AGRICULTURAL 


many  who  have  derived  so  little  practical  benefit  from  their  application,  that 
their  faith  in  their  efficacy,  is  rather  a confidence  in  the  testimony  of  others, 
than  the  result  of  their  own  observation  and  experience. 

Believing  firmly  as  we  do,  that  on  the  judicious  use  of  manures,  depends 
the  prosperity,  not  only  of  our  Society,  but  of  our  State,  we  have  devoted 
our  labors  to  an  investigation  of  the  causes  of  the  failures  of  manures,  and 
have  endeavored,  with  the  aid  of  the  present  state  of  knowledge,  to  point  out 
the  remedies. 

The  great  object  of  all  farmers,  both  practical  and  theoretical,  has  been 
to  accumulate  and  bestow  upon  the  land  a quantity  of  animal  and  vegetable 
matter,  in  the  stale  of  progressive  decomposition.  This  r.  anure,  called  com- 
post, has  been  for  many  years,  the  only  sort  applied  to  cotton  husbandry  in 
the  inland  districts.  Its  value  depends  upon  its  origin  ; that  from  the  stable 
being  always  much  more  highly  esteemed  than  that  from  the  cow-pen. — - 
These  were  the  manures  universally  applied  to  all  soils,  whatever  their  con- 
dition.  Limited,  however,  as  was  the  range  of  our  manuring  resources,  our 
knowledge  of  the  soil  as  cultivated,  was,  and  even  now  is,  still  more  con- 
tracted. No  idea  whatever  was  entertained  of  their  chemical  composition. 
A brief  inquiry  into  their  physical  condition  was  all  the  investigation  bestowed 
upon  them. 

A new  light  has  recently  dawned  upon  us  ; and  it  becomes  ns  particularly 
as  cultivators  of  products  unknown  to  other  portions  of  Caucasian  civilization 
to  embrace  and  improve  it  to  the  highest  possible  degree.  This  light  is  the 
thorough  application  of  chemistiy  to  agriculture.  The  cultivators  of  other 
products  have  for  their  guides  the  experience  of  ages,  and  of  the  whole 
extent  of  civilization.  We  stand  as  agriculturists,  isolated  from  the  mass 
of  mankind  ; their  practice  is  to  us  a mystery,  their  experience  to  us  useless. 
Let  us  hail  then,  as  the  ( petting  of  a new  era  in  our  agriculture,  the  scien- 
tific discoveries  which  enable  us  to  apply  to  practical  farming  the  mysteries 
of  the  laboratory. 

The  doctrine  of  the  necessity  of  furnishing  to  plants,  either  as  native  con- 
stituents of  the  soil  on  which  they  are  required  to  grow,  or  in  the  form  of 
manure,  nil  the  components,  both  organic  and  inorganic,  of  which  they  are 
constituted,  and  wl  ich  are  necessary  to  their  healthful  existence,  was  first 
distinctly  announced  by  Lieb'g,  the  publication  of  whose  book  forms  an  inter- 
esting epoch  in  the  history  of  Agriculture.  But  whilst  announcing  the- 
important  fact,  he  seems  to  have  regarded  it  rather  as  an  asioinf  incontro' 
ver’ible,  than  as  a new  truth  whose  importance  waste  have  been  enforced 
upon  the  attention  of  agriculturists.  Hence  most  readers  of  his  work  arc 
conscious  of  no  operation  of  husbandry  so  important  os  the  collection  and 
supply  of  nitrogen  to  plants.  Indeed  the  philosopher  seems  to  snuff  ammo- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


275 


nia  in  every  breeze.  Ail  the  pleasing  impressions  which  others  derive  from 
the  sight  of  a herd  of  cattle  going  to  market,  are  lost  to  his  imagination. 
He  secs  in  them  nothing  but  a mass  of  nitrogen  unfairly  abstracted  from  its 
native  soil ; and  when  man  himself  lias  finished  his  work  and  given  up  the 
ghost,  his  only  concern  is  that  the  nitrogen  of  his  composition  is  laid  down 
too  low  to  be  made  available  to  vegetation. 

But  let  us  do  justice  to  Liebig.  He  is  not  one-sided  in  his  views.  He 
dwells,  it  is  true,  particularly  upon  one  subject,  but  his  love  of  a theory  does 
not  lead  him  to  strain  every  point  to  sustain  his  views.  Another  class  of. 
philosophers  have  ridden  a hobby  which  they  call  geine,  to  which  they  uttrr. 
bute  all  the  virtues  of  manures.  It  would  be  best,  we  think,  before  going 
into  the  modus  operandi  of  manures,  to  inquire  first  into  the  whole  condition 
of  the  products  of  the  soil, -“let  us  first  know  what  they  are,  and  we  shall  be 
unfortunate  indeed,  tf  we  do  not  find  out  what  is  good  lor  them. 

It  is  one  of  the  blessings  wherewith  our  lot  is  tempered,  that  alfl  genuine 
work,  all  honest  labor,  is  productive.  So  we  have  been  benefited  by  every 
class  of  philosophers  who  have  applied  their  industry  to  the  consideration  of 
agriculture.  We  are  still  hampered  in  our  researches  after  truth,  by.  the- 
obtrusion  of  their  fanciful  theories ; but  a mass  of  light  has  been,  sbcdlcfl. 
the  subject,  from  which  we  are  confident  of  deriving  vest  benefit. 

All  plants,  we  may  say  all  vegetable  products,  are-  composed  of  carbon,, 
hydrogen  and  oxygen  ; in  addition  to  these  some  hare  nitrogen.  Of  these 
constituents,  the  soils  is  composed  chiefly  of  carbonaceous  matter;,  the 
atmosphere  we  breath  consists  of  oxygen  and  nitrogen  in  a state  of  mechan- 
ical combination  ; and  water  is  the  chemical  uniontof  hydrogen  with  oxygen-. 
Thus  it  is  obvious,  the  sources  of  these  organic  constituents  are  inexhausta- 
ble.  Bu<-  there  is  another  portion  of  vegetables  which  lias  hitherto  been 
overlooked  It  is  the  incombustible  or  inorganic  structure  ; that  which  after 
combustion  remains  in  the  form  of  ash.es,  and  to  which  the  general  and 
unsatisfactory  name  of  salts  is  applied.  Now,  in  our  system,  of  making- 
manures,  we  have  regard  chiefly  to  the  collection  of  organic-  matter,  and; 
we  are  surprised  and  disappointed  when  the-  application,  of  this-  matter  fails, 
to  produce  the  required  effect.  We  shall  try  to.show  that  the  cause  of  this 
failure  is  to  attributed  to  our  neglect  in  providing  for  the  inorganic  constituents; 
of  the  plants  ice  cultivate. 

It  is  a rule  which  can  not  now  be  disputed,  that  wherever  the  analysis  of  a- 
vegetable  product  yields  as  a constant  quantity  an  inorganic  constituent,  how- 
ever small,  such  inorganic  body  is  absolutely  necessary/  to-tlie  healthful  condition; 
of  the  plants ; and  it  will  follow  as  a necessary  consequence  of  this  rule* 
wherever  the  soil  on  which  it  is  attempted  to  cultivate  » plant,  is  destitute  of 
any  one  of  its  inorganic  constituents , it  mil.  be  in  vain  to  attempt,  to  grow  tile 


2.76 


AGRICULTURAL 


plant, upon  it.  If  the  material  exist  in  too  small  a quantity  in  the  soil,  th  e 
crop  will  be  correspondingly  short  and  sickly. 

Regarding  this  rule  as  an  axiom  in  enlightened  agriculture,  we  shall  draw 
a few  practical  results  therefrom,  in  relation  to  our  own  pursuits. 

The  first  step  necessary  towards  productive  agriculture,  and  one  which 
falls  within  the  praaince  of  our  agricultural  Societies,  is  to  have  vigorous  and 
accurate  analysis  made,  not  only  of  the  crops  we  cultivate,  but  of  the  soils 
on  which  we  raise  them,  and  of  the  manures  which  we  employ  in  their  culti- 
vation. 

Our  own  Society  hasithe  honor  of  having  made  one  of  the  first  moves  in 
this  enterprize,  and  has  furnished  an  analysis  of  her  principal  products. 
As  cottonds  our  staple,  Ave  have  devoted  this  Report  exclusively  to  a consid- 
eration of  manures  suitable  for  its  production.  In  the  analysis  of  this  pro- 
duct, indluding  the  wodl  and  the  sood,  we  find  the  following  inorganic  con 
-stituents 

Carbonate  of  Potash,  with  traces  of  Soda. 

Pnosphateof  Lime,  with  traces  of  Magnesia. 

Carbonate  of  Lime. 

Carbonate  mf  Magnesia. 

Silica. 

Alumina. 

St.lphate  of  Potash. 

Chloride  of  Potassium. 

Chloride  of  Magnesium. 

Sulphate  of  Lime. 

Sulphate  of 'Potash. 

Oxide  of  Iron  and  Manganese. 

Or  by  reducing  these  compounds  to  simple  forms,  we  find,  in  the  indes- 
tructible portion  of  cotton,  Potash,  Lime,  Magnesia,  Silica,  Alumina,  Sul- 
phur, Phosphorus,  Chlorine,  Iron  and  Manganese.  This  is  the  general 
result  of  the  analysis, -made  for  this  Society  bv  Professor  Shepard.  As  the 
same  general  result  was  dbtained  by  Dr.  Ure’s  analysis,  we  have  every  rea- 
son to  believe  'hat  the  'beforemamed  ingredients  are  all  necessary  to  the  per- 
fect development  of  cotton.  Let  us  now  examine  the  material  or  soil  upon 
■which,  and  the  tools  or  manures  with  which  we  operate. 

The  analysis  of  our  soils  is  yet  to  be  made.  The  Agricultural  Society  of 
.dSt.  John’s  Colleton,  enjoys  the  honor  of  having  taken  the  lead  of  her  sister 
Societies  in  this  enterprize.  She  has  furnished  an  analysis  of  six  specimens 
of  soils,  taken  from  a cotton  plantation  on  Edisto  Island,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is  the  general  result : 


PROCEEDINGS.  277 

Silica,  Alumina,  Peroxide  of  Iron,  Carbonate  of  Lime,  and  Phosphate  of 
Lime. 

It  would  thus  appear  that  the  soil  of  Edisto  Island  is  deficient  in  four  of 
die  nine  inorganic  constituents  of  cotton,  viz  : Potash,  Magnesia,  Sulphur 
and  Chlorine. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  respecting  this  analysis,  that  it  was  made 
before  the  publication  of  Liebig’s  work  on  Agricultural  Chemistry,  and  before 
the  important  doctrine,  laid  down  in  this  report,  was  even  partially  recog- 
nized. It  was  made  too,  at  a time  when  the  attention  of  our  planters  was 
just  beginning  to  be  directed  towards  the  use  of  lime  ; and  the  respectable 
chemist,  by  whom  the  analysis  was  made,  aimed  rather  to  estahlish  the 
amount  ol  lime  existing  in  the  soil,  than  to  demonstrate  rigorously  all  the 
material,  or,  as  they  were  then  considered,  the  immal&rixl  parts  of  which  it  is 
composed. 

Among  the  soils  sent  for  analysis  was  a specimen  of  marsh  mud,  that 
agent  which  has  so  signally  contributed  to  renovate  the  soils  of  the  Islands 
on  our  coast.  Its  component  parts  appear  to  be,  Silica,  Hornblende,  Fel- 
spar, Alumina,  Iron,  Lime  and  Phosphorus.  The  hornbltnd  and  felspar  of 
this  mud  furnish  potash,  lime,  soda,  magnesia,  manganese  and  fluorine  ; so 
that  with  the  aid  of  this  manure,  the  soil  is  furnished  with  every  constituent 
of  cotton,  except  chlorine  and  sulphur.  It  is  difficult  however,  to  conceive, 
how  either  of  these  elements  can  be  absent  from  a mud  which  is  twice  daily 
flowed  with  sea  water.  It  is  rather  to  be  supposed  that  they  are  not  enumer- 
ated, as  being  loo  obvious  to  require  a special  notice. 

Having  now  ascertained,  as  far  as  chemical  investigations  have  gone,  the 
general  composition  of  our  cotton,  and  of  the  soils  upon  which  we  raise  it, 
let  us  now  inquire  what  are  the  ingredients  wherewith  we  propose  to  amend 
our  soils,  so  as  to  increase  their  productiveness. 

The  cowpen  and  stable  have  hitherto  furnished  all  our  manures.  The 
droppings  of  our  cattle  and  horses  mixed  up  with  the  leaves  of  trees  form 
our  composts.  Of  these,  the  product  of  the  stable,  is  generally  found  to  be 
beneneficial,  while  that  of  the  cowpen  is  often  of  so  little  value  as  to  dis- 
courage the  planter  in  his  efforts  to  obtain  it. 

One  of  the  most  successful  planters  in  this  Society,  has  declared,  that  for 
many  years  past,  he  has  ceased  to  perceive  any  improvement  in  his  crops, 
from  the  use  of  cowpen  manure.  The  stalks  have  indeed  increased  to  a 
iarge  size,  but  they  either  produce  littie  fruit,  or  fail  to  mature  a good  crop. 
It  is  obvious  from  this  result,  that  there  can  be  no  want  of  nitrogenized  mat- 
ter in  the  manure,  or  it  would  not  promote  rank  vegetation.  The  defect 
must  lie  in  its  inorganic  constituents,  and  we  may,  by  comparing  the  analysis 
of  cotton  and  of  our  manures,  find  wherein  the  deficiency  exists.  Let  it  be 


278 


AGRICULTURAL 


remembered,  however,  that  we  are  hampered  in  our  reasonings  by  the  want 
of  full  information  which  it  is  the  province  of  the  chemist  alone  to  give. 

Dr.  Ure  gives  the  following  as  the  result  of  his  analysis  of  cow  dung  : 
Lime,  Phosphate  of  Lime,  Magnesia,  Iron,  Aluminia,  Silica,  Muriate  and 
Sulphate  of  Potash — in  other  words  all  the  inorganic  constituents  of  cotton. 
It  is  to  be  remarked,  however,  that  though  all  the  ingredients  are  there,  yet 
some  exist  in  almost  infinitessimal  quantities.  Thus,  all  the  chlorine,  sul- 
phur, and  potash,  in  34  lbs.  of  dried  cow  dung,  amount  altogether  to  but  19 
ounces,  while  the  amount  of  potash  alone  in  a thousand  pounds  of  cotton  in 
the  seed,  is  equivalent  to  five  pounds.  Now  a good  crop  of  cotton  in  the 
limits  of  this  Society,  not  unfrequently  yields  a thousand  pounds  of  cotton  in 
the  seed,  or  five  pounds  of  potash  on  two  acres  of  land.  Let  us  now  sup. 
pose  a liberal  supply  of  compost  bestowed  upon  two  acres.  If  we  say  a 
hundred  loads  of  manure  to  tne  two  acres,  we  will  far  exceed  the  average 
amount  of  manuring.  Another  liberal  allowance  would  be  the  supposition 
of  the  presence  of  the  equivalent  of  three  bushels  of  thoroughly  dried  cow 
dung  in  each  load  of  compost,  and  the  measure  of  our  liberality  will  be  filled 
to  overflowing,  if  we  suppose  each  bushel  to  weigh  fifty  pounds.  Now,  the 
15,000  lbsmf cow  dung,  which  is  thus  applied  to  the  two  acres,  contain  but 
five  poundsmf  sulphur,  chlorine,  and  potash  together,  whereas  the  cotton  to 
be  obtained  from  the  two  acres,  would  require  five  pounds  of  potash  alone. 
It  is  obvious,  therefore,  that  if  the  soil  is  wanting  in  these  ingredients,  the 
crop  of  cotton  to  be  obtained  by  this  manuring  must  fall  far  short  of  an  aver- 
age good  one,  and  this  becomes  perceptibly  so,  when  it  is  recollected  that 
the  whole  amount  of  manure  is  not  consumed  in  a season,  but  that  its  effects 
are  continued  for  several  years.* 

It  is  but  just  to  observe  that  the  urine  of  the  cow,  yields  by  analysis  a 
larger  proportional  quantity  of  these  necessary  ingredients  in  which  the  dung 
is  deficient.  But  this  advantage  is  hardly  compensated  when  we  reflect  that 
in  a thousand  parts  of  this  excrement  all  the  saline  ingredients  together  do 
not  constitute  a fiftieth  portion. 

Chemistry  has  revealed  the  compasition  of  the  excrements  of  the  cow,  a 
manure  which  we  find  decidedly  inferior  in  value  to  that  of  the  horse.  We 
have  not,  however,  the  same  accurate  analysis  of  these  last  to  enable  us  to 
compare  them  rigorously.  We  must  use  the  light  we  have  so  far  as  it  goes 

•Since  the  above  was  written,  we  have  seen  Dr.  Davis’  statement,  tnat  the  weight  of 
cow  dung,  as  evacuated,  is  just  87  pounds.  Now,  if  83  per  cent.,  of  this  be  water,  the 
allowance  of  50  lbs.,  as  the  weight  of  the  dry  dung,  is  indeed  an  excess  of  liberality.  The 
true  weight  of  the  dry  dung  is  just  22  pounds,  and  the  quantity  necessary  to  equal  15000 
lbs.,  would  be  652  bushels,  Compare  this  with  the  statement  in  the  text,  and  we  will  see 
how  small  a portion  of  those  salts  is  conveyed  to  the  soil  through  the  medium  of  cow 
dung. 


PROCEEDINGS.  2*9 

and  trust  to  the  logical  deductions  for  some  cf  the  conclusions  to  which  we 
shall  arrive. 

And  in  the  first  place,  chemists  differ  very  materially  in  the  partial  analysis 
which  they  have  made  of  horse  dung.  Macaise  and  Mareet  found  27  per 
cent.,  of  inorganic  matter  of  salts,  in  that  analyzed  by  them.  Liebig  admits 
that  he  has  never  tound  over  10  per  cent.,  and  Dr.  Jackson  of  Boston,  some- 
what under  8 per  cent.  These  discrepancies  stagger  our  faith  in  the  partial 
results  which  have  been  produced.  Suppose,  however,  the  lowest  to  be  the 
most  accurate,  and  we  have  nearly  four  times  the  amount  of  inorganic  matter 
in  the  excrements  of  a horse  as  in  those  of  a cow.  It  is  to  be  remarked,  also, 
that  the  phosphate  of  magnesia  exists  in  a notable  quantity  in  the  dung  of  a 
horse,  and  is  also  a conspicuous  constituent  of  cotton.  The  partial  report  of 
Dr.  Jackson,  however,  gives  no  potash  nor  sulphur  whatever.  This  consid- 
eration alone  induces  us  to  consider  the  analysis  incomplete,  and  compels  us 
in  the  absence  of  a rigorous  analysis,  to  resort  to  the  indications  afforded  by  a 
logical  investigation. 

O 3 

The  cattle  whose  execrements  have  been  submitted  to  the  test  of  analysis 
are  better  treated  in  every  respect  than  those  from  which  we  derive  our 
manure.  It  is  a common  sense  principle,  and  a rule  in  practical  agriculture 
is  based  upon  it  in  Europe,  that  the  excrement  of  an  animal  shall  bear  a fair 
proportion  to  the  food  he  eats.  Thus  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hildeshrine  in 
Germany,  the  farmers  pay  a higher  price  fur  the  excrements  of  Protestants 
than  for  those  of  Catholics,  as  those  of  the  latter  are  impoverished  by  the 
numerous  fasts  enjoined  by  the  Church  of  Rome.  The  same  must  be  true 
likewise  of  the  lower  animals.  In  Europe,  where  cattle  constitute  an  impor- 
tant item  in  a farmer’s  wealth,  they  are  fed  with  the  most  nutritious  food,  which 
they  are  capable  of  digesting,  and  their  excrements  must  partake  of  the 
nature  of  their  food.  The  clover  and  turneps  which  the  happy  cattle  of 
that  couRtry  consume,  are  rich  in  the  most  valuable  inorganic  constituents 
and  held  in  large  quantities  potash,  magnesia,  sulphur,  and  phosphorus,  and 
yet,  with  all  this  advantage  in  point  of  food,  there  excrements  are  inferior 
in  value  to  those  of  the  horse.  Far  greater  then  must  be  the  difference  here, 
where  the  cow  is  left  to  her  own  ingenuity  to  draw  her  nourishment  from 
the  soil.  The  grasses  abounding  in  phosphates  are  not  found  with  us,  and  it 
is  more  than  probable  that  the  small  quantity  of  earthy  phosphates  they  do 
contain,  are  all  required  to  aid  in  the  formation  and  support  of  the  bones  of 
the  animal,  leaving  a very  minute  portion  to  pass  out  in  the  excretions. 

The  horse,  on  the  contrary,  is  as  well  fed  here  as  in  any  part  of  Europe, 
perhaps,  (for  we  have  not  yet  learned  the  economy  of  farming,)  he  is  better 
fed.  We  have  therefore  a right  to  expect  to  find  in  his  excretions  the  con- 
stituents of  maize,  viz:  potash,  lime,  phosphorus,  magnesia  and  sulphur,  and 


280 


AGRICULTURAL 


the  quantity  of  sulphur,  will  be  sensibly  increased  when  he  is  fed  on  peas. 
Moreover,  his  urine  yields  nearly  five  per  cent.,  of  saline  ingredients,  while 
that  of  a cow  falls  short  of  two. 

We  can  thus,  by  investigating  the  constitution  of  the  food  which  the  two 
animals  eat,  dispense  in  a great  measure  with  any  particular  analysis  of  their 
excrements,  and  safely  come  to  the  following  conclusion  ; That  the  inor- 
ganic constituents  of  the  excrements  of  a horse,  are  more  than  double  in 
quantity  those  of  the  cow,  and  that  while  those  of  the  latter  consist  chiefly  of 
silicates,  those  of  the  former  abound  in  the  phosphates  of  lime  and  magne- 
sia, two  of  the  most  important  constituents  of  cotton. 

We  would  suggest  therefore  the  propriety  of  improving  the  value  of  our 
cow-pen  composts,  by  the  admixture  of  certain  matters  of  known  util'ty, 
and  either  cheap,  if  purchased  with  money,  or  easily  accessible  to  every  cot- 
ton  planter. 

And  in  the  first  place,  we  would  recommend  the  addition  of  a bushel  of 
gypsum  for  every  acre  which  it  is  intended  to  cover  with  the  compost. 

The  advantage  of  this  mixture  is  a double  one.  In  the  first  place,  we  add 
to  the  manure  both  lime  and  sulphuric  acid,  substances  which  perform  impor- 
tant functions,  not  only  in  the  growth  of  cotton,  but  of  every  crop  we  culti- 
vate ; and,  in  the  second  place,  we  prevent  the  evaporation  of  the  ammonia- 
cal  gasses  which  have  always  a tendency  to  escape  during  the  progress  of 
decomposition. 

A strong  prejudice  prevails  in  many  parts  of  South  Carolina  against  the 
use  of  gypsum,  and  this  prejudice  is  strengthened  by  the  consideration  that  it 
was  imported  largely  for  the  sake  of  its  supposed  fertalizing  properties,  and 
failed.  But  it  should  be  remembered  that,  at  that  time,  the  use  of  any  man- 
ure was  a blind  practice,  equivalent  to  quackery  ; that  from  the  use  of  gyp- 
sum, unaided  by  other  agents,  all  virtues  are  expected  ; that  it  was  used  as 
a panacea  for  all  agricultural  evils,  and  that  disappointment  was  the  natural 
consequence  of  such  unreasonable  practices  and  hopes.  And  yet  with  all 
the  odium  attached  to  its  memory,  we  have  heard  of  some  singularly  favor- 
able results  attending  its  use.  Among  others,  we  have  heard  that  the  late 
Thomas  Palmer,  Esq.,  from  his  plantation  in  St.  Stephens,  the  average  pro- 
duction of  which  was  60  lbs.,  of  cotton  per  acre,  obtained  one  year,  with  the 
aid  of  gypsum,  an  average  of  120  lbs.  If  subsequent  experiments  resulted 
in  failures,  this  may  be  accounted  for  in  a variety  of  ways  ; the  gypsum  may 
(as  lime  will  do,)  have  exhausted  the  soil ; this  is  no  mystery  in  countries 
where  lime  is  used  ; the  seasons  may  have  been  unpropitious.  And  it  may 
be  true,  that  in  the  absence  of  any  marked  beneficial  result,  our  planters 
may  have  been  discouraged,  and  seized  gladly  any  pretext  for  saving  their 
money  and  avoiding  a labor  to  which  they  were  unaccustomed.  Of  all  men 


PROCEED  rN-CS. 


281 


in  the  world,  agriculturists  are  the  most  unwilling  to  follow  improvements  in 
their  profession,  and  the  readiest  to  discover  the  inability  of  iho-'e  suggested. 
Our  planters  long  since  knew  that  lime  was  used  in  their  very  neighborhood 
with  favorable  results,  but  it  required  the  energy  and  fire  of  a Ruffin  to  make 
the  adoption  of  its  use  general. 

In  addition  to  the  gypsum,  we  would  recommend  that  all  the  spare  cotton 
seed  should  be  cast  upon  the  compost  heap.  It  is  needless  to  dwell,  before 
this  Society,  upon  the  inestimable  value  of  this  manure.  We  would  o-nly 
suggest  that  the  cow. pen  would  be  materially  improved,  while  the  cotton 
seed  would  be  permitted  to  be  spread  profitably,  though  in  small  quantities, 
over  a much  greater  surface  than  they  could  be  if  applied  in  the  usual  way. 

Lastly,  we  would  perfect  the  compost  by  the  addition  of  ashes.  There  is 
no  manure,  cotton  seed  perhaps  excepted,  which,  applied  singly  to  land,  pro- 
duces such  striking  results.  The  ashes  of  the  oak,  though  most  accessible 
to  us,  contains  all  the  inorganic  constituents  of  cotton,  and  are  particularly 
rich  in  lime,  potash,  sulphuric  acid , chlorine  and  phosphoric  acid,  while  they 
contain  so  much  of  all  its  other  constituents  as  to  preclude  the  idea  of  defi- 
ciency in  any. 

It  may  be  objected  to  the  addition  of  ashes  to  the  compost  heap,  that  the 
mixture  will  hasten  the  evoluiion  of  ammonia,  and  thus  rob  the  manure  of  its 
nitrogen.  If,  however,  gypsum  be  applied  previously,  or  in  combination 
with  the  ashes,  this  objection  will  in  a great  measure  be  removed,  since  the 
ammonia  has  an  affinity  with  the  sulphuric  acid  of  the  gypsum,  with  which 
it  forms  a solid  body,  the  sulphate  of  ammonia.  But  even  were  this  not  the 
case,  observation  has  taught  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  expel  all  the  nitro- 
gen ; that  which  remains,  will  unite  with  tire  potash  ; in  the  great  laboratory 
of  nature,  fresh  supplies  will  be  elicited  from  the  atmosphere,  and  the  result 
will  be  the  nitrate  of  potash,  or  common  saltpetre  of  commerce,  an  agri- 
cultural agent  at  least  as  valuable  as  any  preparation  of  ammonia  can  be. 

We  close  our  report  with  the  relation  of  a few  facts,  coming  under  our 
obversation,  corroboratory  of  the  views  we  have  offered. 

On  the  22d  day  of  August  last,  the  Committee  on  Manures  visited  Fair 
Spring,  the  plantation  of  Mr.  Robert  Mazyck,  to  witness  the  result  of  his 
experiments  with  green  sand.  This  marl,  of  which  this  is  the  only  locality 
hitherto  discovered  in  the  State,  is  found  in  a ravine,  on  the  Eastern  side  of 
Begin  Sa amp.  It  is  of  a lively  green  color,  so  soft  as  to  be  easily  turned 
out.  with  the  spade,  is  full  of  fossils,  indicating  the  presence  of  lime  in  its 
various  modes  of  existence,  and  is  said  to  be  rich  in  potash.  It  is  to  be 
regreted  that  Mr.  Mazyck  did  not  accurately  observe  the  quantity  applied 
to  his  land  ; and  it  is  rather  too  early  in  the  season  for  us  to  be  furnished 
with  the  results  of  his  experiment.  At  that  late  period  of  the  summer 


282 


AGRICULTURAL 


however,  a practical  eye  can  judge  with  tolerable  accuracy  what  the 
result  will  be.  It  required  but  a glance  to  convince  us,  that  the  cotton  manur- 
ed with  green  sand  was  worth  three-fold  the  best  portion  of  his  crop  not  so 
manured.  We  can  give  no  better  idea  of  its  appearance  than  by  comparing 
it  to  a pyramid  of  luxuriant  vegetation,  rising  so  abrubtly  from  out  of  the 
rest  of  the  cotton,  as  to  be  at  a glance  obvious  to  the  most  careless  specta- 
tor; and  the  quantity  and  maturity  of  the  fruit  corresponed  with  the  luxuri- 
ance of  the  plant. 

Less  striking  in  appearance  on  that  same  day  was  a field  at  Somerton, 
manured  with  twenty  loads  of  cow-pen  compos*,  and  twenty  bushels  of  ashes 
per  acre.  But  even  this  small  quantity  of  ashes  caused  such  a difference 
in  the  growth  and  maturity  of  the  cotton  its  to  be  easily  distinguished  from 
that  which  had  none.  A part  of  the  result  of  the  experiment  at  Somerton 
is  known  and  corroborates  our  opinion  that  ashes  should  be  mingled  with  the 
compost.  At  the  second  picking  of  cotton,  before  the  middle  of  September, 
four  hundred  pounds  per  acre  of  cotton  in  the  seed  were  harvested  from  that 
portion  which  had  ashes.  It  is  but  just  however,  to  observe,  that  in  this  case 
the  ashes  formed  no  portion  of  the  compost;  they  were  spread  upon  the  list 
— the  compost  placed  under. 

One  of  the  Committee  has  tecently  seen  a crop  of  cotton  in  St.  Andrew’s 
Parish,  which  he  thinks  would  be  estimated  at  too  low  a rate  at  a thousand 
pounds  of  seed  cotton  per  acre.  This  result  was  effected  by  using  the  fine 
particles  of  compost  at  the  bottom  of  the  manure  heap.  In  this  case  the 
active  particles  of  the  compost  heap  were  concentrated  at  the  bottom  ; for 
they  always  have  a tendency  to  descend,  being  carried  down,  partly  in  a 
state  of  solution,  partly  bv  the  mechanical  action  of  rains.  The  result  of 
these  three  instances  are  with  us  conclusive.  , 

That  the  action  of  manures  is  directly  in  proportion  to  the  amoxml  and  qual- 
ity of  their  inorganic  constituents , and  that  to  the  collection  of  these,  the  planter 
should  mainly  direct  his  attention. 

Offering  the  accompanying  resolutions,  as  necessary  to  carry  into  opera- 
tion the  principles  of  this  report,  we  shall  no  longer  trespass  upon  the  patience 
of  the  Society. 

In  behalf  of  the  committee. 

FRED.  A.  PORCHER. 


RESOLUTIONS  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  ON  MANURES. 

1.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Society  to  appropriate  adequate  funds 
to  the  accomplishment  of  a thorough  analysis  of  all  the  products  of  our  soils 
themselves,  and  of  our  manures. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


283 


2.  That  we  earnestly  recommend  to  our  sister  Societies  through  the  State 
to  contribute  to  similar  analysis  of  their  soils  and  productions. 

3.  That  the  Representatives  to  the  Legislature  from  these  parishes,  be 
respectfully  requested  to  urge  upon  their  respective  houses,  the  necessity  and 
expediency  of  peifecting  the  Agricultural  Survey  of  the  Sta'e,  so  happily 
begun. 


Note. — A few  observations  are  yet  necessary  to  perfect  the  report,  which 
has  grown  under  our  hands,  to  an  unexpected  length.  It  will  be  observed, 
that  we  have  taken  no  notice  whatever  of  the  amount  of  inorganic  matter 
existing  in  the  litter  with  which  our  compost  is  made.  As  this  is  an  equal 
quantity  in  both  sorts  of  compost,  it  can  not,  as  a general  rule,  materially 
affect  the  relative  value  of  either.  With  respect  to  what  has  been  said  in 
the  earlier  pait  of  the  report  respecting  the  theories  of  the  chemists,  we 
cheerfully"  acknowledge  our  unfitness  to  sit  in  judgment  upon  their  merits. 
We  do  know  knowever,  when  they  give  us  satisfactory  replies  to  our  queries, 
and  we  are  painfully  conscious  when  they  fail  to  answer  us ; and  the  worst 
of  it  too  is,  that  they  undertake  to  speua  a language  intelligibly  to  every 
farmer.  Now  in  our  humble  judgment,  when  a farmer  consults  a book 
purely  scientific,  for  information  relative  to  his  profession,  he  expects  to  find 
the  language  of  science,  and  is  generally  prepared  to  meet  it.  Now,  what 
can  be  more  unsatisfactory  than  the  following:  We  inquired  into  the  com- 
position of  cow  dung.  Dr.  Dana  says  : “ I give  yam  the  result  of  my 
analysis  of  cow  dung  in  suck  terms  as  the  farmers  may  comprehend ; water 
83  60  ; hay  14;  biliary  matter  (bile  resin,  fat  and  green  resin  of  hay,) 
1,275;  geine  combined  with  potash,  (vegetable  extract,)  0 95;  albumen, 
0 175.”  If  the  fainter  may  comprehend  this,  may  he  not  equally  compre- 
hend the  results  of  a destructive  analysis;  is  it  not  likely  that  the  farmer 
would  better  appreciate  the  value  of  silica,  alumina,  lime,  magnesia,  <Scc. 
than  of  this  mysterious  geine  which  is  thus  forced  upon  his  attention  ? Par- 
ticularly when  he  is  told  that  all  these  are  constituent  portions  of  the  crop 
lie  cultivates.  Let  the  chemist  use  the  language  of  his  profession,  and  give 
the  result  of  his  labors,  and  the  farmer  will  thank  him. 

The  crop  in  St.  Andrew’s  parish,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  is 
not  all  manured  in  the  manner  described.  Ten  acres,  we  believe,  were  all 
so  treated.  It  is  however  to  this  portion  only'  that  the  remaiks  in  the  report 
apply. 


V 


* 

1 

■ 

/ 

• ’ - 1 '.i 

. 

- ■ ■ 

■ 

. 

. 

. 

. 


* 


REPORT 


OF  THE  CAMBRIDGE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY, 

© n the  situation  of  Whitfield  Brooks’  Plantation,  and  its  claims  for  the 
Premium  to  be  awarded  for  the  lest  managed  Plantation. 


At  the  request  of  Mf.  Whitfield  Brooks,  of  the  District  of  Edgefield, 
we  have  examined  his  plantation  with  all  the  minuteness  and  accuracy, 
which  circumstances  would  allow,  and  submit  the  following  Report : 

The  land  in  cultivation  is  represented  to  be  about  700  acres,  of  which  one 
third  may  be  denominated  swamp  and  second  low  grounds,  and  the  remain- 
in'* two  thirds,  high  land,  under  one  continuous  line  of  fence,  with  dividing 
fences  at  convenient;  distances,  separating  the  whole  into  fields,  varying 
from  550  to  120  acres.  The  high  land  is  in  a clean  condition,  free  from  trees, 
logs,  briars  or  gullies^  and  in  a state  of  progressive  improvement  by  the  ro- 
tation of  crops,  and  the  application  of  manure,  The  low  land  has  been 
thoroughly  drained  by  tWo  main  ditches  of  large  size  and  many  smaller 
drains,  where  the  condition  of  the  land  required  them.  Cultivation  extends 
to  the  border  of  the  ditches  and  branches,  the  latter  having  been  straightened 
and  cleared  out,  to  admit  the  free  passage  of  water.  The  land  in  cultiva. 
lion,  presents  the  appearance  of  an  undulating  valley,  formed  by  the  junction 
of  several  small  streams,  from  an  elevated  point  of  which  the  eye  com- 
mands a view  of  the  whole  area  of  the  plantation,  with  the  crop  of  cotton, 
corn  and  small  grain,  in  their  present  condition.  There  is  a raised  and  well 
made  road,  passing  nearly  through  the  centre  of  the  fields,  and  branching 
off  in  various  directions,  as  necessity  or  convenience  required.  Gates  are 
erected  at  every  cross  fence,  which  afford  an  easy  passage  to  all  paits  of  the 
plantation.  We  saw  about  200  acres  in  corn,  250  in  cotton,  from  125  to 
150  acres,  which  had  been  in  wheat,  oats,  rye  and  barley,  and  about  90 
acres  in  \yheat,  rye  and  oats,  for  the  fall  sowing  of  small  grain,  all  of  which 
is  in  a state  of  apparent  gradual  improvement  and  skillful  cultivation,  hav- 
ing yielded  a good  crop  the  present  year,  notwithstanding  the  severe  drought 
which  prevailed  in  this  section. 


286 


AGRICULTURAL 


We  nest  directed  our  attention  to  liis  houses,  fixtures  and  lots,  of  various 
kinds  ai  d sizes. — The  stable  lot  is  of  good  size,  well  shaded  and  supplied 
with  water  from  a well,  near  at  hand,  which  is  worked  by  a pump,  and  from 
which  the  water  is  conveyed  by  troughs.  In  this  lot  stands  a large  two  story 
framed  stable,  divided  on  the  lower  story  into  stalls,  and  affording  a capacious 
repository  in  the  second  story  for  fodder  and  oats.  On  each  side  of  the  sta- 
b'e,  is  a framed  shed,  used  as  a shelter  for  the  wagons,  and  for  the  feeding 
of  horses  in  summer.  At  the  north  end  of  the  staple,  another  shed  has  been 
erected  about  30  feet  square,  with  a trough  and  rack  in  the  centre,  for  the  use 
of  the  mules  in  summer,  having  a large  apartment  above  for  fodder. 
These  are  substantial  buildings,  and  well  covered  with  shingles. — Besides 
these,  there  is  a line  of  log  buildings,  extending  from  40  to  50  yards  in 
length,  with  stalls  for  separate  horses,  and  oxen  and  apartments  for  harness, 
having  in  the  rear  a large  shed  for  oxen.  This  lot  has  a communication 
by  means  of  gates  with  various  other  lots,  as  appurtenant  to  the  stable,  one 
of  which  is  appropriated  to  oxen,  another  with  shade  trees  and  a stream  of 
water,  into  which  the  stock  is  turned  for  rest  or  gentle  exercise.  The  third 
is  a grove,  neatly  tiiinmed  and  cleaned,  which  is  used  for  various  purposes, 
occasionally  for  cows  and  pigs,  lor  sheep,  or  for  horses  and  mules  that  be- 
come either  crippled  or  sick.  Mis  cribs  are  substantial  and  well  arranged 
buildings,  in  a line  with  the  stables,  and  covered  with  shingles.  The  stable 
lot  communicates  with  the  gin  lot,  in  which  stand  two  framed  gin  houses  in  a 
line,  each  thirty-two  feet  square,  w ith  a passage  between  them  of  20  feet,  all 
under  one  cover  and  well  floored,  the  passage  answering  the  purpose  of 
drying  cotton  and  small  grain,  or  as  a shelter  in  rainy  weather  for  any  kind  of 
employment  in  such  seasons.  At  one  of  the  gin  houses,  and  in  connection 
with  it,  is  a framed  building,  two  stories  high,  in  which  are  placed  the 
threshing  machine  and  fan,  for  the  cleaning  of  small  grain.  These  are 
propelled  by  machinery,  and  principally  constructed  by  the  mechanics  of  the 
owner.  In  the  same  lot  is  a two  story  framed  barn,  designed  for  grain,  the 
upper  story  of  which  is  ceiled,  and  divided  into  bins  of  30  bushels  each,  for 
the  reception  of  grain.  On  each  side  of  the  barn  is  a framed  and  enclosed 
shed  with  shingle  roofs,  for  fodder,  oats,  &c.  Near  the  gin  house  and  cot- 
ton room,  stands  the  screw,  having  a framed  building  around  it,  and  so  con- 
structed,  that  one  entire  side  may  he  removed,  to  admit  repairs  of  the 
screw. 

In  the  rear  of  the  gin  houselot  is  another,  (about  one  acre,  now  in  small 
groin,)  in  which  has  been  erected  a row  of  substantial  buildings,  extending 
about  two  thirds  of  one  entire  side,  in  which  is  preserved  provisions  for  the 
cattle,  and  immediately  in  the  rear  of  this  line  of  buildings,  and  fronting  the 
south,  is  a covered  shelter  for  the  cattle  in  winter,  with  w hich  is  connected 
a w inter  lot,  having  trees  and  water,  and  also  a large  trough,  made  of  poles 


PROCEE®>IXG^ 


287 


or  logs,  to  preserve  the  food  from  the  feet  of  the  cattle.  In  this  lot  the 
cattle  are  penned  at  night,  both  in  winter  and  summer,  and  a supply  of  litter 
constantly  applied  around  the  trough  for  malting  manure.  Much  attention 
has  been  and  is  devoted  to  making  manure,  and  the  arrangements  arc  well- 
adapted  to  this  purpose.  We  saw  in  tire  horse  lot  several  large  and  sub- 
stantial made  pens,  filled  with  manure,  and  three  more  in  the  cow  lot,  con- 
taining in  all  at  this  time  no  less  than  from  400  to  500  wagon  loads.  The 
negro  houses  have  been  erected  in  a shade  lot,  in  a parallel  line  with  the 
stables  and  corn-cribs,  about  50  yards  if>  tile  rear,  but  at  a convenient  dis- 
tance from  lliem,  and  extending  to  the  east,  and  presenting  a front  to  the 
S3uth.  They  are  either  framed  or  hewed  log  buildings,  with  fynrned  roofs, 
having  double  brick  or  rock  chimnies,  plar?k  floors,  and  stand  from  30  to  50 
yards  apart.  In  front  of  these  buildings  fs  a siiade  lot,  from  3 to  4 acres, 
enclosing  the  loom  house  and  well,  and  In  the  rear,  a gardeir  and  poultry" 
house,  for  each  family  of  negroes. — The  ho£se  of  the  overseer  is  a framed 
building,  with  three  rooms  and  brick  chimneys;  and  with  its  appendages* 
occupy  the  crown  of  the  hill  and  commanding  a view  of  the  blacksmith  and 
Work  shop,  the  negro  houses,  stable  lot  and  houses,  the  gin  house,  lot  and 
buildings,  and  the  cow  lutand  its  appurtenances.  The  dwelling  house  is  a 
two  story  building,  finished  in  a plain  but  comfortable  style,  with  shed  and 
piazza,  having  six  rooms  and  a passage,  and  stands  in  a luxuriant  grove  of 
oaks  about  400  yards  from  the  overseer's  house,  with  which  it  is  connected 
by  an  avenue  and  lawn,  containing  from  10  to  15  acres,  it  has  the  usual 
appendages  of  a garden,  kitchens,  meat-house,  fowl  house  and  dairy.  We 
Were  also  shown  various  arrangements  for  raising  and  taking  care  of  stock 
through  different  stages  of  its  growth.  These  consist  of  various  lots  of 
different  sizes  under  good  fence,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  water.  The 
first  is  a wood  enclosure  of  near  500  acres,  partly  high  land,  and  partly 
swamp,  and  so  arranged  as  to  be  easily  divided  by  a set  of  bars.  This  is  in- 
tended as  a permanent  enclosure  for  hogs,  and  occasionally  for  sheep  and 
other  stock.  It  has  a direct  communication  with  the  stable  lot,  and  cow 
lot,  through  a gate,  by  means  of  the  lawn  above  referred  to,  and  hogs  arc 
fed  within  300  yards  of  the  overseer’s  house,  which  commands  a vie  w also  of 
this  lot.  Another  was  a lot  of  75  acres,  of  which  about  one  half  is  in  woods 
and  the  other  in  small  grain,  intended  for  ewes  and  lambs  and  other  voun<r 
stock,  and  is  connected  with  the  lawn  around  the  dwelling  house  by  a gate- 
The  third  is  a lot  adjoining  the  dwelling  house,  containing  about  15  acres, 
half  in  woods  and  the  other  in  small  grain,  intended  for  calves  and  poultry. 
These  are  in  addition  to  the  lots  above  referred  to,  as  connected  with  the 
stable  lot,  all  of  which  constitute  about  12  in  number.  There  is  also  a shel- 
ter with  stalls  for  the  milk  cows  in  winter,  and  a house  for  food  and  shelter 
for  the  calves.  In  short,  there  is  a lot  for  all  kinds  of  stock,  adapted  either  to 


388 


AGRICULTURAL 


-summer  or  winter  use,  with  a shelter  or  covering  for  each  kind.  It  is  a ruld 
of  the  establishment  to  put  all  food  under  cover,  so  that  we  found  neither 
oats,  fodder,  straw  nor  shucks  exposed  to  the  weather,  but  all  were  stored 
away  in  substantial  buildings.  The  overseer  has  an  appropriate  house  or 
room  for  tools,  ploughs,  harness,  and  wagons,  and  no  implement  or  vehicle 
is  allowed  to  remain  from  under  cover.  The  various  lots  adjacent  to  the 
stable  lot  and  dwelling,  are  surrounded  by  good  fences,  neatly  shrubbed  trees 
■trimmed,  neat  and  substantial  gates,  and  all  supplied  with  water  and  shade. 
The  stock  on  the  plantation  is  as  follows — about  90  stock  hogs,  15  sows, 
with  near  100  pigs,  about  90  head  of  horned  cattle,  including  three  yoke  of 
oxen,  milk  cows  and  calves — about  70  head  of  sheep,  and  from  40  to  50 
hogs  for  the  slaughter  pen,  all  in  a good  and  thriving  condition.  The  horse 
■power  is  16  mules,  and  7 horses,  of  which  three  or  four  are  brood  mares. 
The  overseer  reported  that  he  manufactures  clothing  for  the  negroes,  both 
winter  and  summer. — The  supply  of  pork  will  be  abundant  for  the  wants  of 
the  plantation,  amounting  to  Tor  8000  lbs.  That  from  the  sale  of  wheat, 
rye,  corn,  peas  and  other  surplus  products  of  the  plantation,  he  is  enabled  to 
pay  the  current  annual  expenses,  except  his  wages,  besides  furnishing  a sup* 
ply  of  flour  to  his  employer. 

In  conclusion,  we  cheerfully  bear  testimony  that  for  the  arrangement  of 
the  plantation,  for  the  reclaimed  and  highly  improved  condition  of  the  land 
in  cultivation,  for  the  means  provided  for  its  permanent  improvement,  for 
the  substantial  and  convenient  character  of  the  buildings  of  every  descrip- 
tion, and  for  the  general  economy  displayed  in  its  govefnment,  there  is  man. 
ifested  a skill,  judgment  and  industry,  of  no  ordinary  character,  and  which 
'was  indispensable  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  present  improved  condition 
of  the  plantation.  We  effight  not  however  to  omit  some  notice  of  the  utensils 
and  vehicles  used  on  the  plantation  and  of  the  present  crop.  These  consist 
of  the  bull  tongue  plough',  the  common  shovel,  the  half  or  twisting  shovel, 
the  barshare,  of  Noithern  construction,  the  sweep  or  scraper,  and  iron  tooth 
harrows.  Several  of  these  are  used  in  breaking  up  and  preparing  land  for 
cultivation,  and  all  except  the  barshare,  in  the  cultivation  of  the  crop. 
There  are  three  wagons  and  two  ox  carts,  with  their  usual  apparatus. 
The  land  seems  to  have  been  thoroughly  broken  up,  and  closely  and  skil- 
fully  ploughed  and  planted,  ploughed  and  laid  by  in  the  best  mode  to  prevent 
washing.  We  were  shown  a field  of  50  acres  of  corn,  planted  in  the  drill, 
which  averaged  over  25  bushels  to  the  acre.  The  product  was  between 
1800  and  1400  bushels.  Another  of  70  acres,  which  averaged  about  20 

bushels,  or  about  the  san  e product  as  the  first.  A field  of  30  acres  on  an 

elevated  ridge,  yielded  an  indifferent  crop,  being  cut  off  by  an  unusual 

drought.  There  remains  from  30  to  35  acres  of  corn  ungathered,  which 


PROCEEDIN' JS. 


289 


will  yield  between  400  and  500  bushels.  The  crop  of  cotton  was  greatly 
injured  by  drought  and  rust,  and  will  only  yield  130  bales  of  the  average 
weight  of  350  lbs.  In  a seasonable  year,  the  same  land,  under  the  same 
cultivation,  would  have  yielded  175  bales.  In  addition  to  the  corn  and  cot- 
ton, there  were  made  250  bushels  of  wheat,  50  bushels  of  rye,  a small 
quantity  of  barley,  and  the  average  crop  of  oats,  an  abundant  supply  for  the 
plantation.  75  bushels  of  peas  have  been  gathered  and  cleaned,  and  some 
10  or  12  stacks  of  peas  on  the  vine.  The  hogs  are  a cross  from  a Berk- 
shire boar,  and  sow  of  the  common  stock. — The  cattle  are  in  a state  of  im- 
provement from  a cross,  by  a three  year  old  Durham  Bull,  a very  superior 
animal,  bred  by  Col.  B.  F.  Taylor,  of  Columbia.  The  sheep  are  a cross  of 
the  Bakewell  breed,  from  a ewe  and  ram,  a present  by  Major  Thomas 
Means,  of  Fairfield.  In  making  this  Report,  our  only  object  has  been  to 
give  a full,  fair  and  impartial  account  of  the  state  of  the  plantation,  and  if 
we  have  been  tedious,  the  only  apology  we  can  offer  is,  that  it  was  insepara- 
ble from  a faithful  discharge  of  the  office  committed  to  us.  In  certification 
of  which,  we  have  signed  our  names,  this  21st  of  Nov.  1844. 

R.  C.  Griffin,  former  Treasurer. 

W.  Andrews, 

A . P.  King, 

James  F.  Lowry, 

Thomas  Payne, 

James  Dorn, 

J.  M.  Walker, 

Solomon  Dorn. 


MR.  RAVENEL’S  LETTER  ON  MARLLING. 

Black  Oak,  Nov.  22,  1844. 

To  R.  W.  Roper,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir  ; — The  short  period  which  has  elapsed  since  the  receipt  of  your 
letter,  requesting  information  on  the  subject  of  the  Marl  experiments  in  this 
neighborhood,  must  be  my  apology  for  so  unsatisfactory  a reply  as  this  must 
necessarily  be. 

Previous  to  the  year  1843,  there  had  been  but  one  instance  of  the  appli- 
cation of  marl  as  a manure  to  the  soil,  in  this  immediate  neighborhood.  Its 
existence  was  known  in  a few  localities,  where  it  had  been  thrown  out  from 
excavations  through  our  swamps,  but  until  the  use  of  the  auger  for  boring 
was  introduced  by  Mr.  Ruffin,  its  great  extent  and  almost  universal  pres- 
ence was  not  generally  suspected.  By  his  personal  exertions  and  the  use  of 
19 


290 


AGRICULTURAL 


this  simple  instrument,  a vast  mine  of  agricultural  wealth  has  been  unfolded, 
which  only  requires  the  energy  and  industry  of  the  planter  to  be  made  avail- 
able. 

According  to  the  experience  of  Mr.  Ruffin  and  the  Virginia  Planters,  too 
short  a time  has  elapsed  since  its  application  to  our  lands,  for  us  to  real- 
ize its  full  effects.  The  first  experiment  in  marling  in  this  section  of  coun- 
try, was  made  by  Mr.  F.  A.  Pokcher,  in  1840,  on  17  acres  of  land,  at  the 
rate  of  100  bushels  per  acre.  His  statement  is  thus  ; Planted  in  cotton  the 
first  year,  and  did  well.  In  1841 — rested  ; 1842,  in  cotton  with  an  addition- 
al manuring  of  30  horse  cart  loads  of  stable  compost,  a good  crop — 140  lbs. 
of  ginned  cotton  ; 1843,  in  potatoes  and  slips,  but  did  badly  ; 1844  in  corn, 
making  24  bushels  per  acre. 

He  states  a second  experiment  of  2 acres,  marled  the  past  year  and 
planted  in  potatoes. — Began  to  use  them  in  August ; that  on  the  marled 
land,  the  only  good  part  of  his  crop.  Mr.  Philip  M.  Porchee  states  an  ex- 
periment on  7 acres  marled  in  1843. — Kept  one  acre  unmarled  for  com- 
parison, and  treated  the  remaining  six  with  marl,  at  the  rates  of  250  and 
130  bushels  per  acre.  The  season  of  ’43  was  peculiarly  unfavorable,  and 
no  good  effects  were  observed  from  the  treatment.  In  ’44,  (the  present 
year,)  he  picked  from  an  acre,  on  which  250  bushels  of  marl  had  been  ap- 
plied, 460  lbs.;  from  one  on  which  130  bushels  had  been  applied, 
380  pounds,  and  from  the  acre  left  unmarled  260  pounds  seed  cot- 
ton. The  same  gentleman  states  another  experiment  on  a field  of 
6 acres,  marled  in  1843,  at  the  rate  of  120  bushels  per  acre,  applied  to- 
gether with  stable  manure  and  cotton  seed.  Planted  in  corn  the  first  year, 
and  made  20  bushels  per  acre.  In  1844,  added  100  bushels  of  marl  per 
acre  and  other  manures  ; the  field  made  an  average  of  44  bushels  of  corn 
per  acre.  It  should  be  stated  that  the  land  used  in  both  of  the  above  experi- 
ments, was  old  and  exhausted  from  hard  treatment.  From  these,  and  many 
other  experiments  in  this  neighborhood,  it  would  appear  that  on  old  lauds, 
but  little  effect  is  seen  the  first  year  after  marling^ 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  in  two  instances,  where  the  most  marked  bene- 
ficial effects  were  seen  from  the  application  of  marl,  no  accurate  account  of 
the  result  has  been  kept. 

Mr.  S.  G.  Darant  the  last  winter,  applied  marl  at  the  rate  of  100  bushels 
per  acre,  to  15  acres  of  newly  cleared  pine  land.  A small  spot  of  30  or  40 
feet  square  was  left  unmarled.  No  account  of  the  relative  production  has 
been  taken,  but  the  unmarled  spot  has  scarcely  made  any  cotton,  whilst  a fair 
crop  has  been  gathered  from  the  other  ; the  increase  of  production  is  rated 
at  4 or  5 fold,  or  more. 

The  other  instance  alluded  to  aboye,  is  an  experiment  by  Mr.  R.  W, 


PROCEEDINGS. 


291 


Mazyck,  with  green  sand  marl,  on  a few  acres  of  cotton  land.  The  crop 
has  not  yet  been  entirely  harvested,  but  by  comparison  with  the  adjoining 
parts  of  the  field  unmarled,  the  increase  must  have  been  double  at  least. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Black  Oak  Agricultural  Society,  held  last  spring, 
it  was  ascertained  that  about  1200  acres  of  land,  within  the  geographical 
limits  of  the  Society,  had  been  marled  during  the  past  year  up  to  that  period. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  fully  the  same  amount  of  marling  will  have  been 
accomplished  again  by  our  next  meeting  in  the  spring. 

I am  very  respectfully,  &c. 

H.  W.  Ravene!., 


- .... 


, *5.®  <>••*■  -:i  p 


MARLING  FACTS  AND  ESTIMATES. 


Maklbourne,  Hanover,  Va.  ) 

Sept.  27th,  1844.  $ 

Throughout  my  extensive  personal  intercourse  with  the  planters  of  lower 
South  Carolina,  and  my  efforts,  (while  conducting  the  Agricultural  Survey,) 
to  induce  their  use  of  marl,  I found  the  main  obstacle  to  be  the  greatly  ex- 
aggerated conceptions  prevailing  of  the  difficulty  and  cost  of  the  operation. 
These  mistaken  opinions  it  was  not  always  in  my  power  even  to  moderate, 
and  still  more  rarely  to  efface  entirely.  For  it  was  not  a matter  to  be  de- 
cided by  reasoning,  nor  by  the  assertion  of  opposite  belief  or  conviction.  It 
required  statements  of  Jacts — of  minute  details  of  similar  operations,  ac- 
curately observed  and  noted,  and  fully  reported,  and  for  sufficient  length  of 
time  to  show  that  the  operations  could  be  trusted  for  continuance  or  dura- 
tion, and  were  not  merely  a temporary  effort. 

Having,  at  the  beginning  of  this  year,  settled  and  removed  to  a recently 
purchased  farm,  and  commenced  marling  it  under  the  many  disadvantages  of 
a new  settler  and  beginner,  perhaps  the  statement  of  a portion  of  the  labours, 
and  estimates  of  the  cost,  will  serve  to  lesson  the  doubts  and  anticipated 
difficulties  of  many  of  my  friends  and  others  in  South  Carolina  ; and  thus 
may  forward  that  mode  of  the  improvement  of  the  State  which  I have  so 
long  and  zealously  endeavored  to  promote. 

The  labours  and  expenses  of  marling  (and  also  of  liming)  are  over-rated 
and  dreaded,  merely  because  of  the  novelty  of  the  operation.  And  when 
its  novelty  shall  have  given  way  to  use  and  experience,  then  will  it  be  truly 
deemed  far  cheaper  than  some  other  of  the  now  customary  labours  and  im- 
provements,  of  which  no  one  doubts  the  propriety,  or  fears  the  expense,  or 
even  counts  the  cost  as  an  objection  to  their  execution.  And  not  only  will 
marling  be  deemed  cheaper,  relatively,  or  in  comparing  amount  and  dura- 
tion of  profits  as  well  as  expenses,  but  absolutely  of  less  cost  than  that  of 
other  labours  of  transient  operation,  and  less  effect  even  for  the  time.  More 
expensive  labors  are  regularly  performed  on  almost  every  plantation  in  the 
lower  districts  ; as  in  the  first  cutting  down  and  tillage  of  wood-land,  ditching 
swamps,  embanking  tide  marshes,  and  their  cultivation  in  rice,  and  in  col- 
lecting and  applying  fleeting  manures  from  the  woods  or  marshes.  Suppose 
that  any  one  of  these  usual  processes  were  proposed  to  a planter  who  had  no 
experience  of  it  whatever : suppose  also  the  advice  to  be  accompanied  by 


294 


AGRICULTURAL 


proper  and  sufficient  directions  for  the  performance,  and  by  the  most  cogent 
arguments,  and  sound  estimates,  to  prove  the  expediency  and  profit  of  the 
practice.  Still  the  assertion  may  be  ventured,  that  in  every  such  case,  the 
novelty  of  the  subject  alone  would  invest  it  with  as  much  of  dreaded  difficul- 
ty and  expense  as  now  operate  to  oppose  marling. 

It  is  to  meet,  and,  if  possible,  to  remove  such  objections,  that  the  following 
statement  of  facts  is  now  offered.  And  to  serve  the  purpose  designed,  it  is 
necessary  for  the  details  to  be  presented  so  fully,  that  I fear  they  may  be 
deemed  tedious. 

My  present  marl  diggings  are  on  the  Newcastle  farm,  and  755  yards  dis- 
tant from  the  boundary  line  of  my  own  land  (Marlbourne,) — the  use  of  the 
marl  having  been  afforded  me  by  the  kindness  of  the  proprietor,  Carter 
Braxton,  Esq.  The  land  where  the  marl  is  dug,  and  that  on  which  it  is 
carried,  are  parts  of  the  extensive  and  well  known  flats,  bordering  the  Pa- 
munkey  river.  The  gradual  ascent  from  the  margin  of  the  pits,  (where  the 
marl  is  thrown  up  on  the  surface  of  the  land  for  the  carts,  is  not  more  than 
10  feet  of  perpendicular  height,  to  the  highest  summit ; after  which,  the  routes 
to  all  the  different  places  of  deposite  pass  over  slight  and  gradual  undula- 
tions of  surface,  as  much  descending  as  ascending,  and  which  variations  of 
level,  in  their  extremes,  scarcely  exceed  6 feet  So  level  a way  is  of  course 
a great  advantage,  and  enables  me  to  carry  much  heavier  loads  than  on  the 
high  and  hilly  lands  which  I formerly  marled  elsewhere.  But,  on  the  other 
hand,  this  almost  level  surface,  with  a close  subsoil,  requires  the  land  every 
where  to  be  ridged  ; and  the  water  furrows  (or  deep  alleys,)  and  the  many 
deeper  cross  “ grips”  (or  very  narrow  and  shallow  ditches,)  together  present 
greater  obstacles  to  the  passage  of  carts  over  the  fields,  than  would  be  found 
with  much  more  of  ascent  and  inequality  of  surface,  but  with  smooth  tillage. 
In  these  respects,  both  of  advantage  and  disadvantage,  the  land  I have  to 
marl  is  very  similar  to  much  of  that  on  and  near  the  Ashley  and  Cooper 
rivers. 

A previous  and,  as  yet,  the  most  extensive  excavation,  was  begun  in  Jan- 
uary, and  completed  in  June,  immediately  after  which  the  present  digging 
was  commenced.  Of  the  former,  it  is  enough  here  to  say  that  the  stratum 
of  marl  was  poorer  and  much  thinner,  and  the  over-lying  earth  much  thick, 
er ; and  altogether,  the  labor  greater,  and  the  returns  less  than  of  the  later 
digging.  The  marl  and  green  sand  earth  (which  lies  beneath,)  removed 
from  this  one  excavation,  by  rough  measure  of  the  pit,  amounted  to  26,600 
solid  feet.  Notes  of  that  operation  also  were  accurately  kept  for  the  portion 
of  time  from  April  20th,  to  June  27th.  But  they  will  not  be  here  reported, 
but  those  following  are  enough,  and  are  of  more  regular  and  uniform  labors, 
and  embrace  the  whole  of  one  digging,  from  its  commencement,  to  the  clos- 
ing of  the  daily  record. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


295 


At  the  latter  place,  the  overylying  earth  is  from  4 to  5 feet  high  ; of  which 
the  upper  and  larger  portion  is  of  sandy  surface  soil,  and  the  subsoils  of 
loose  and  dry  sand,  and  gravelly  sand;  all  making  3 to  4 feet  of  thickness, 
generally  quite  easy  to  dig  and  to  throw  off.  Next  is  a thin  layer  of  hard 
and  wet  gravel,  lying  on  a soft  and  very  adhesive  ferruginous  clay  of  a foot 
or  less.  This  clay  is  the  general  water-bearing  stratum,  receiving  through 
the  pervious  earth  above,  the  percolating  rain-water,  and  preventing  its  low- 
er descent ; and  over  which  clay,  towards  my  digging,  small  but  per- 
manent springs  ooze  out  every  where.  The  labor  of  digging  and  shovelling 
this  soft  and  stickey  thin  clay  stratum  is  as  great  as  of  all  the  dry  and  loose 
earth  above — even  with  the  necessary  care,  after  reaching  the  clay,  of  digg- 
ing a small  drain  all  along  in  it,  next  to  the  high  land,  to  cut  and  lead  off  the 
springs,  and  thus  leave  the  day  to  get  dryer  for  working  at  some  later  time. 
Immediately  under  the  clay  is  the  marl.  Like  the  overlying  strata,  it  is 
nearly  horizontal,  and  is  from  7 to  8 feet  thick.  Beneath  the  marl  lies  the 
stratum  of  green-sand  earth  of  great  and  unknown  thickness.  Of  this  none 
has  been  used  in  the  present  digging.  As  soon  as  the  green-sand  is  reached, 
the  pit  is  abandoned,  and  afterwards  filled  by  the  earth  thrown  off,  to  uncover 
the  next  parallel  range  of  marl. 

The  marl  is  of  very  uniform  texture.  For  a few  inches  at  top,  and  some- 
thing more  at  bottom,  it  is  a little  softer  than  the  intermediate  body  of  6 to 
7 feet,  which  is  compact  and  close,  though  not  very  hard.  The  heavy  and 
sharp  grubbing  hoes  used  to  dig  it,  are  struck  in  about  or  3 inches  with  a 
good  blow.  The  colour  is  bluish  gray,  or,  when  dry,  ash  color.  Though 
moist,  it  furnishes  no  oozing  water ; and  is  as  dry  as  any  earth  could  be,  if 
always  covered  by  wet  and  water  bearing  clay.  The  marl  as  dug,  weighs 
104  or  105  pounds  to  the  heaped  bushel.  If  allowed  to  get  wetter,  its  weight 
is  much  increased,  as  well  as  the  trouble  of  shovelling.  I found,  by  trial, 
that  a bushel  of  this  marl,  moist  as  when  dug,  would  absorb  upwards  of  two 
gallons  more  of  water,  without  being  so  surcharged  that  any  of  the  water 
would  drip  away.  Yet  half  of  the  people  who  work  marl  having  springs 
oozing  out  above,  allow  so  much  access  of  water,  as  to  add  8 or  ten  pounds 
or  more,  to  every  bushel  of  marl,  and  to  increase  the  other  labors  of  hand- 
ling  in  full  as  great  proportion. 

This  marl  contains  an  average  proportion  of  41  per  cent,  of  carbonate  of 
lime,  and  8 or  10  percent,  of  green-sand.  It  is  dug  much  easier  than  most 
of  the  marls  of  the  Santee,  Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers.  On  the  other  hand, 
these,  in  general,  are  nearly  twice  as  rich  as  mine  in  calcareous  matter. 
Most  of  them  also  are  free  from  water,  and  have  less  overlying  earth,  in 
proportion  to  the  workable  marl ; and  all  are  of  very  great  and  unknown 
thickness.  Every  proprietor  of  marl  there,  may  compare  his  own  facilities 
and  disadvantages  with  mine,  and  estimate  the  excess  of  either. 


296 


AGRICULTURAL 


My  mode  of  working  in  this  case  was  directed  by  the  disadvantageous 
circumstances  of  the  water  oozing  or  trickling  out  every  where  above  the 
clay,  and  the  sand  above  being  disposed  to  cave  in,  and  the  more  so  after 
every  heavy  rain.  Thus  the  small  drain  dug  in  the  marl,  and  kept  to  lead  off 
the  springs,  would  be  frequently  choked,  and  the  water  turned  into  the 
digging.  But  for  this,  it  would  have  been  cheapest,  and  would  have  required 
less  than  half  as  much  pit  work,  of  digging  and  loading,  to  work  upon  my 
previous  and  general  plan  ; that  is,  to  open  a large  space  at  once,  and  bring 
the  carts  in  upon  the  marl  by  a sloping  descent,  so  that  they  stand  upon  the 
marl  where  it  is  dug,  and  draw  it  easily  from  the  lowest  digging.  Fuch  was 
the  mode  of  working  of  the  previous  pit,  which  was  184  feet  long,  and  IT 
wide.  But  the  frequent  accidents  which  had  there  occurred,  from  caving 
sand,  and  the  consequent  flooding,  admonished  me  now  to  resort  to  a more 
laborious,  but  less  hazardous  mode  of  working. 

The  m rl  had  been  naturally  exposed  to  view  by  the  passage  of  a small 
stream,  which  had  formed  a very  narrow  ravine  of  a few  feet  deep.  Along- 
side of  the  stream,  leaving  a wall  between,  as  a barrier  against  the  water, 
the  first  small  uncovering  was  made,  about  6 feet  wide,  and  8 in  length  only, 
because  of  the  want  of  room  to  dispose  of  the  removed  earth.  The  marl 
being  dug  out  of  this  space,  made  room  to  receive  the  earth  from  an  adjoin- 
ing uncovering  twice  as  large.  The  uncovering  and  the  [lilting  thus  pro- 
ceeded, both  up  and  down  alongside  the  stream,  for  about  160  feet.  Then 
(at  convenient  times,)  a second  range  of  marl  was  uncovered  10  to  12  feet 
wide,  for  all  which  removed  earth  the  pits  previously  dug,  offered  a sufficient 
and  convenient  receptacle.  The  third  range  of  marl  has  been  opened  12  or 
15  feet  wide,  and  the  next  will  be  16  feet,  which  is  more  convenient  than  less 
width.  • 

As  soon  as  a space  of  marl  is  uncovered  to  its  back  line,  (next  the  high 
land  and  its  springs,)  a drain  of  4 or  5 inches  wide,  and  as  deep,  is  carried 
along,  so  as  to  cut  off  and  discharge  into  the  last  completed  pit  (or  into  the 
stream,)  all  the  oozing  water.  For  digging' at  one  time,  a space  is  taken  the 
width  of  the  range  uncovered,  and  15  to  30  feet  long. — This  space  is  dug 
down  perpendicularly  to  the  bottom,  in  successive  courses  ; and  the  marl  is 
thrown  by  shovels  to  the  top  of  the  adjacent  high  ground,  whence  it  is  thrown 
into  the  carts.  A wall  of  marl  of  12  to  18  inches  thick,  is  left  between  each 
pit  and  the  adjoining  range  of  older  pits  before  filled  with  earth,  until  the 
bottom  of  each  separate  pit  is  reached.  Then  the  wail  is  undermined, 
and,  with  the  pressure  on  it  of  loose  and  wet  earth,  soon  tumbles  in;  and  as 
much  of  it  is  thrown  out  as  can  be  easily  saved  from  the  earth  and  water 
thus  suffered  to  come  in  from  the  old  diggings.  Thus  very  little  of  the  marl 
is  left. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


297 


The  marl  thus  is  thrown  upward,  from  4J  feet  where  highest,  to  12  feet, 
or  more,  for  the  lowest,  besides  the  lateral  distance.  This  heaviest  part  of 
the  pit  work  would  be  all  avoided  in  the  graduated  diggings  ; the  loading 
being  the  same  in  both  cases. 

My  hauling  of  marl  had  been  commenced  on  January  24th,  as  soon  as  the 
mules,  which  had  been  much  injured  by  the  labours  of  wagoning  my  move- 
ables  to  my  new  residence,  through  the  bad  weather  and  roads  of  mid  win- 
ter, were  fit  for  work.  Two  mules,  with  the  necessary  attendant  hand  force, 
were  set  apart  from  the  rest,  for  marling  exclusively. — The  better  of  these 
two  mules,  whose  work  will  be  particularly  stated,  though  then  poor,  was  a 
good  ordinary  one,  worth  $60,  when  in  good  order,  at  present  prices.  She 
has  done  full  work  at  marling,  (or  what  was  supposed  full  work,)  every 
working  day,  when  weather  did  not  forbid,  from  Jan.  24,  to  June  1st. — and 
from  June  24th  to  the  present  time;  besides  some  6 or  S days  of  other 
work,  when  marling  could  not  be  done.  The  only  interval  of  necessary 
stoppage  for  a week,  occurred  after  she  was  in  good  condition,  in  conse- 
quence of  a slight  injury  caused  by  bad  gear,  and  the  awkwardness  of  a new 
and  very  young  driver.  Tim  was  in  the  beginning  of  the  cessation  of  field 
marling  work,  from  June  1st.  to  23d,  during  which  time  so  much  rain  fell, 
and  there  occurred  such  disasters  to  the  large  pit,  (then  nearly  at  its  great- 
est depth,)  that  very  little  hauling  was  done,  and  still  less  ploughing.  Thus, 
with  the  exception  stated,  (which  was  not  required  for,  and  added  nothing 
to  her  strength,)  the  work  of  this  mule  to  be  stated  is  but  a portion  of  steady 
employment  throughout  the  year ; and  under  which  and  long  ago,  she  has, 
from  being  quite  poor,  become  in  excelle  nt  woiking  order. 

The  other  regular  cart  mule  was  old  and  feeble,  and  quite  too  slow  for  the 
plough,  and  therefore  was  put  to  the  marl-cart.  Besides,  a third  mule  cart 
was  used  some  times ; and  a cart  drawn  by  2 oxen,  (changed  at  noon,  so 
that  4 oxen  were  required,)  was  generally  employed,  and  rarely,  a wagon 
drawn  by  2 carriage  horses;  or  by  4 mules,  when  ploughing,  or  other  of 
their  farm  labors  were  not  needed.  This  larger  and  irregularly  employed 
force  will  account  for  the  varying  quautities  of  work  in  addition  to  that  of 
the  only  regularly  working  animal. 

The  distances  were  accurately  measured,  except  for  inconsiderable  varia- 
tions. The  mule  can  bodies  are  hopper  shaped,  very  light,  and  serve  as 
measures  of  the  loads  required.  The  teams  came  to  the  stable  to  be  fed  (or 
changed)  at  noon  as  well  as  at  night,  which  usually  added  much  to  the 
journeys  from  pit  to  field  arid  back.  But  at  such  times  loads  were  always 
taken  to,  or  on  the  way  to  the  stable,  so  that  little  or  no  travel  was  lost — or 
was  done  otherwise  than  in  carrying  loads  or  returning  for  them.  Tasks 
were  assigned  to  each  mule  cart.  It  was  not  desired  at  any  time  that  the 
day’s  journey  of  the  best  mules  (in  single  carts,)  should  exceed  25  miles  : 


21,8 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  when  it  was  much  more,  it  was  by  mistake  in  the  score  kept  at  the  pit, 
another  error,  afterwards  ascertained.  The  wagon  never  could  make  near 
as  many  loads  as  the  single  mule  carts,  owing  to  the  longer  time  required 
to  put  in  and  to  discharge  the  loads.  Of  the  3 mule  carts,  one  driver  was  a 
boy  just  now  15  years  old,  and  the  other  two,  a boy  and  a girl,  both  between 
12  to  13. 

I will  now  present  the  particular  statement  designed,  showing  for  an  en- 
tire job  of  64  consecutive  working  days,  the  daily  travel,  and  number  and 
amount  of  loads  of  a single  mule;  and  also  the  total  quantity  of  marl  dug 
for  and  carried  out  by  other  and  less  regular  teams,  whose  work  though 
noted  separately,  it  is  not  necessary  to  give. more  particularly  in  this  abstract 
from  the  fuller  record  in  my  farm  journal. — (See  next  page.) 

The  table  furnishes  the  following  results  : 

The  mule,  whose  work  is  separately  stated,  in  55  full  working  days, 
(omitting  the  8 days  of  work  broken,  and  the  one  summed  up,)  travelled 
1384  miles,  and  399  yards. 

Counting  at  the  same  rate  the  full  work  but  unascertained  distances  of  one 
day,  (July  11th,)  and  the  proportions  of  tasks  executed  on  8 other  days, 
broken  by  rains  and  half  holidays,  all  9 making  7^  full  days  work,  the  travel 
for  the  whole,  62£  full  days  work,  was  1572  miles  and  295  yards  ;*  which 
gives  for  the  average  daily  travel,  to  and  fro,  and  including  the  extra  travel, 
between  the  stable  and  the  work,  25  miles  295  yards. 

The  average  number  of  loads,  daily,  18.42  ; and  the  travel  per  load, 
yards,  2872.5 

The  average  quantity  of  the  loads,  heaped  bushels,  8,095,  weighing  lbs. 
104  or  105  to  the  bushel — or  of  weight  of  load,  lbs.  841.88. 

The  quantity  of  marl  carried  out  in  62|  full  day’s  work,  7803  bushels  ; 
serving  for  26  acres,  at  300  bushels  to  the  acre  ; which  makes  the  daily 
average  quantity  carried,  bushels,  124.85. 

And  as  to  the  general  operations  of  all  the  force  employed — 

The  whole  qantity  of  marl  dug,  and  carried  out  by  all  the  teams,  in  this 
time,  26271  bushels — enough  for  87^  acres,  at  300  bushels. 

The  whole  digging  and  throwing  out  of  the  marl,  and  assisting  the  drivers 
generally  to  load,  (which  assistance  by  one  of  the  pit-men  was  required  al- 
ways, but  not  always  given  to  all  of  the  extra  teams,)  was  equal  to  177  days 
labor  of  a single  pit-man;  which  makes  the  average  quantity  of  marl,  dug, 
thrown  out,  and  partly  also  loaded,  for  each  pit-man,  142.42  bushels- 

* The  parts  of  the  8i'days  lost  by  rain  or  otherwise,  amounted  in  time  to  much  more 
than  1J  days.  But  the  loss  in  work  was  no  more,  because  in  every  such  interruption,  the 
hauling,  or  task-work  for  the  day,  was  in  advance  of  the  hour  when  operations  were  sus- 
pended. 


hauling  by  one  mule. | Whole  Work. 


> 

« 

Q 

| 

Loads 

Heap’d  busli’ls. 

Av’oge  distance 
from  pit  to  field 
(and  back.) 

Additional  dis>. 
tance  from  sta. 
ble. 

g . 

5-  Whole  day’s 
S°  journey,  in- 
cluding dis- 

a 

o 5 
— w 

v a 

c g 
a C! 

Yards. 

Pit-men. 

JO 

*o  . 
-e  3 

g o 

C"*  o 

June  28 

12  of 

8 

1770xi2!  380x4 

25 

2 

310 

do 

29 

12 

8 

1770 

1 380 

25 

2 

308 

Monday, 

July  I 

^ 11** 

8 

1770 

j 380 

2 

302 

do 

2 

12 

8 

1770 

i 3S0 

25 

2 

304 

do 

3 

12 

8 

1770 

j 380 

25 

2 

310 

do 

4 

12 

8 

1770 

1 380 

25 

2 

346 

do 

5 

12 

8 

1825 

j 296 

25 

984 

2 

316 

do 

6 

11 

8 

1866 

274 

23 

1668 

2 

316 

M. 

do 

8 

11 

8 

1883 

208 

24 

18 

2 

316 

do 

9 

10 

8 

2245 

none. 

25 

900 

2 

272 

do 

10 

7*+ 

8 

2245 

do 

2 

154 

U 

13t 

Q 

2 

274 

do 

12 

10 

8 

2245 

none. 

25 

900 

2 

246 

do 

1; 

20 

8 

965 

1005 

24 

380 

2 

274 

M. 

do 

15 

20 

8 

915 

955 

22 

1700 

2 

2(4 

do 

16 

20 

8 

915 

955 

22 

2 

274 

do 

17 

20 

8 

939 

955 

23 

900 

2 

274 

do 

18 

20 

8 

963 

| 955 

24 

100 

3 

354 

do 

19 

* 20 

8 

971 

955 

24 

420 

3 

402 

do 

20 

12*4 

8 

984 

955x2 

3 

250 

M. 

do 

22 

20 

8 

995 

955x4 

24 

1380 

3 

330 

do 

23 

17*t 

8 

995 

955 

5 

604 

do 

24 

21+ 

8 

1012 

855 

26 

164 

5 

7l6 

do 

25 

19 

8 

1012 

855 

23 

1396 

5 

746 

do 

26 

13*a 

8 

1378 

652 

5 

532 

«>7 

M. 

do 

29 

15 

8 

1408 

652 

25 

848 

2 

324 

do 

30 

15 

8 

1408 

652 

25 

3 

500 

do 

31 

15 

8 

1408 

652 

25 

3 

514 

Aug 

1 

15 

8 

1408 

652 

25 

3 

498 

do 

2 

14*6 

8 

1263 

707 

3 

506 

do 

3 

16 

8 

1263 

707 

24 

1004 

3 

536 

M. 

do 

5 

16 

8 

1263 

707 

24 

3 

500 

do 

f 

16 

8 

1293 

672 

25 

184 

3 

500 

do 

7 

18 

8 

1069 

901 

23 

1608 

3 

530 

do 

8 

16 

8 

1323 

647 

25 

924 

3 

529 

do 

9 

16 

8 

1323 

647 

25 

3 

510 

do 

10 

16 

8 

1323 

647 

25 

3 

450 

M. 

do 

12 

16 

8 

1363 

607 

26 

284 

3 

514 

do 

13 

15 

8 

1374 

596 

24 

1364 

3 

592 

do 

14 

15 

8 

1395 

575 

25 

184 

3 

596 

do 

15 

15 

8 

1395 

575 

25 

3 

596 

do 

16 

19 

8 

1091 

880 

25 

1078 

3 

535 

do 

17 

19 

8 

1091 

880 

25 

3 

585 

VI. 

do 

19 

15 

8 

1428 

522 

25 

928 

3 

543 

do 

20 

15 

5 

1428 

522 

25 

3 

470 

do 

21 

19 

8 

1110 

857 

25 

1608 

2 

253 

do 

22 

19 

8 

1134X2 

836j>4 

26 

676 

2 

278 

do 

23 

18  of 

81 

1154 

816 

25 

808 

2 

271 

do 

24 

18  of 

81 

1154 

816 

25 

2 

271 

M. 

do 

26 

12 

8 

1865 

none. 

25 

760 

3 

530 

do 

27 

18 

8 

1154 

816 

25 

808 

3 

540 

do 

28 

18 

8 

1176 

794 

25 

1512 

3 

579 

do 

29 

18 

8 

1176 

794 

25 

3 

555 

do 

30 

18 

8 

1200 

772 

26 

528 

3 

489 

do 

31 

10*c  of  81 

1200 

772 

3 

283 

M. 

Sept. 

2 

17  of 

81 

1222 

750 

25 

448 

3 

513 

do 

3 

12 

8 

1865 

none. 

25 

760 

3 

403 

do 

4 

12 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

2i 

403 

do 

5 

12 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

2i 

450 

do 

6 

13 

8 

1865 

do 

27 

970 

2 

428 

do 

7 

12 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

760 

2 

283 

M. 

do 

9 

12 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

3 

639 

do 

10 

12 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

4 

672 

do 

11 

10*d 

8 

1865 

do 

25 

4 

334 

300 


AGRICULTURAL 


So  far,  my  statements  have  been  made  of  actual  performances  ; not  of 
what  might  be  or  ought  to  have  been  done — but  of  what  was  actually  done. 
But  estimates  of  the  cost  of  these  operations  must  necessarily  rest  in  part 
on  conjectural  valuation  ; and,  to  that  extent,  the  further  results  to  be  stated 
must  be  uncertain,  and  liable  to  error.  To  save  time  and  words,  I shall  use 
for  the  greater  part,  and  for  all  the  important  items,  the  estimates  of  labor 
and  cost  made  for  a similar  purpose  in  1828,  and  which,  with  all  the  grounds 
and  elements  stated,  may  be  seen  and  examined  in  the  ‘ Essay  on  Calcareous 
Manures,’  at  page  132  of  3d  edition.  If  any  charge  be  deemed  incorrect, 
as  the  grounds  of  it  are  there  presented  in  detail,  the  proper  correction  may 
be  made,  and  the  result  modified  accordingly.  The  prices  of  provisions, 
which  must  always  constitute  the  chief  element  of  the  cost  of  labor,  are 
much  lower  now  than  in  1823  ; and,  though  hires  are  somewhat  higher, 
these  estimates,  on  the  whole,  are  at  least  high  enough  for  1844. — No 
change  will  be  made  in  the  main  items,  hand  and  team  labor  ; and  a slight 
increase  of  the  charged  price  will  be  made  on  some  minor  matters  only. 


Remarks  connected  with  the  preceding  table. 

* The  numbers  marked  thus(*)  are  short  of  full  days's  work,  for  causes  to  be  stated. 

**  July  1,  one  load.orone'twelfth  of  the  task,  lost  by  rain. 

*\  July  10,  rain  prevented  3 loads,  or  three  tenths  of  the  task. 

t July  11,  full  hut  irregular  work  at  another  place,  and  distances  not  ascertained — the 
ordinary  road  being  too  wet  to  use. 

July  20,  stopped  at  12  o’clock  for  half  holiday 8-20ths  of  full  days’  work  want 

ing. 

July  23,  rain  caused  loss  of  31oads,or  3-20ths  of  task. 

t July  24,  a load  too  much  by  mistake. 

*a  A good  rain  in  afternoon— 2 loads  (2~15ths(  lost.  Next  day  (27th)  earth  too  wet  for 
marling,  and  the  mules  at  the  harder  work  of  ploughing  for  wheat. 

*b  Aug.  2,  rain  caused  loss  of  2 loads,  or  2-16ths  of  task. 

*c  Aug.  31,  stopped  at  12  o’clock  for  half  holiday,  8 loads,  or  S-lSths  wanted  of  full  day’s 
work. 

*d  Sept.  11,  rain,  after  long  drought,  stopped  all  work  at  4 P.  11.  Next  day  more  and 
heavy  rain,  and  this  mule,  and  all  others  fit,  put  to  ploughing  for  wheat.  For  two  weeks 
previous  to  these  rains,  the  ground  had  been  excessively  dry,  so  that  the  road,  and  tracks 
across  the  fields,  which  were  constantly  travelled  over,  were  so  deep  in  fine  dust  that  it 
was  very  unpleasant,  and  even  an  impediment  to  the  teams. 


PROCEEDINGS.  801 

Estimate  of  the  cost  of  Marling. 

Carting. — The  mule  per  working  day,  cents, 26.5 

Her  driver,  (boy  of  15  years,)  cents, 22 

Cart  and  gear,  suppose,  cents, 7 

For  daily  work,  an  average  of  124.95  bush..... 55.5 

Or,  for  the  100  bushels,  cents, 44.45 

Digging  and  assisting  to  load.  Pit-man,  per  day,  cents,. . . . 31.25 
His  share  of  tools,  suppose  cents, 1.75 

For  his  average  daily  work,  of  148.42  bush 33 

Or,  for  the  100  bushels, 22.23 


Throwing  off  overlay  of  earth  to  uncover  Marl,  (its  thickness 
compared  to  that  of  the  marl  about  in  proportion  of  3 to  5,) 
supposed  to  be  one  half  the  cost  of  pit  work  of  the  marl 


below;  or  per  100  bushels  of  marl  dug 11.12 

Spreading  Marl,  (300  bushels  to  the  acre,)  per  100  bushels,  12.20 


Total  cost  of  applying  100  bushels, 90 

And  for  the  acre,  at  300  bushels, $2,70 


What  other  improvement  of  land,  which  approaches  the  marling  in  degree 
and  durability  of  effect,  can  be  obtained  for  so  little  as  $2,70  the  acre  ? 
And  yet,  in  most  of  the  numerous  situations  where  the  rich  marl  of  the 
“ Great  Carolinian  Bed”  is  easily  accessible,  it  may  be  applied  for  much  less 
than  at  this  rate  of  cost.  It  may  not  be  useless  to  present  a few  such  cases, 
of  which  very  many  similar  may  be  found  in  South  Carolina.  For  exam- 
ple : 

If  there  had  been  no  springs  above,  or  the  water  could  have  been  com- 
manded so  as  to  prevent  its  being  turned  (by  caving  earthy  into  the  work, 
the  carts  might  have  descended  to  and  been  loaded  standing  upon  the  marl, 
which  would  have  saved  half  the  pit-man’s  labor,  or  made  the  cost  less  by 
83  cents  the  acre. 

Or,  all  other  circumstances  being  equal,  if  the  average  distance  from  pit  to 
field  were  only  half  of  mine,  (which  was  1436  yards,  or  2872  the  trip  to 
and  fro,)  or  but  718  yards,  then  half  the  hauling  would  be  saved,  making 
the  cost  less  per  acre  by  67  cts. 

Or,  without  either  of  the  above  advantages,  or  any  other  greater  than 
mine,  if  the  marl  were  twice  as  rich,  (which  is  quite  common  in  S.  C.,)  then 
150  bushels  would  go  as  far  as  my  300,  and  the  cost  would  be  lessened 
nearly  one  half — or  by  about  $1,30  the  acre. 


302 


AGRICULTURAL 


Still  more  will  be  the  reduction  of  price  in  many  other  cases,  where  not 
only  one,  but  several  of  such  advantages  are  enjoyed,  either  wholly  or  In 
part. 

Next,  as  to  counteracting  disadvantages  t 

If  a marl  of  double  richness,  (or  82  per  cent ,)  is  so  hard,  (because  of  its 
richness,)  as  to  require  even  thrice  as  much  labor  in  digging  only  as  mine, 
still  it  would  be  greatly  cheaper  to  use,  because  all  the  other  items  of  cost, 
(in  throwing  out,  loading,  hauling  and  spreading,)  would  be  reduced  by  one 
half,  or  Very  nearly. 

And  if,  besides,  such  rich  and  hard  marl  be  much  affected  by  water,  (either 
lying  above,  or  penetrating  slowly  its  whole  body,)  then  the  additional  la- 
bor required  for  continually  removing  the  water,  by  bailing  or  pumping, 
ivould  be  much  more  than  compensated  by  the  greater  richness  of  the 
marl  ; thus  still  making  the  marling  cheaper  than  mine  at  equal  distances. 

The  two  objections,  (haidnessof  the  body  and  exposure  to  water.)  are  all 
that  are  of  importance  and  frequent  occurrence  in  the  marls  of  Charleston 
district.  And  there  are  very  many  situations  in  which  so  few  difficulties 
oppose,  that  the  marl  may  be  applied  to  the  nearest  200  acres  at  a total 
cost  not  exceeding  75  cents  the  acre  ; or  it  may  be  carried  6 or  8 miles  and 
applied  for  less  than  $5  the  acre.  Each  individual  can,  for  his  own  case  and 
circumstances,  test  these  assertions  and  estimates.  It  may  facilitate  calcula. 
tions  of  cost  of  other  operations,  made  in  advance  of  the  work,  to  use  some 
of  the  previously  stated  quantities  as  grounds  for  calculation.  The  num* 
ber  of  loads,  or  of  bushels,  that  should  be  carried  daily,  of  course  will  be 
inversely  proportioned  to  the  distance  of  each  trip.  Therefore,  by  this  rule, 
and  taking  the  before  stated  average  quantities  as  the  known  terms  of  the 
proportion,  it  may  be  easily  determined  how  many  loads  would  be  equal  in 
labor  and  cost,  if  carried  per  day  to  any  other  stated  distance  ; or  otherwise, 
what  average  distance  must  be  chosen  for  a certain  number  of  loads— which 
is  the  easier  way  to  arrange  for  working.  Thus  for  example  : 

As  1 load,  carried  per  day,  is  to  25  miles  and  295  yards  (or  44295  yards) 
the  whole  day’s  journey,  so  will  be  17  loads  (the  number  desired  to  be  made,) 
to  2605.6  yards,  the  average  of  the  trips  to  and  fro— -or  double  the  distance 
from  pit  to  field,  without  any  extra  travel. 

And  the  following  table  offers  application  of  this  rule  : 

For  1 load  per  day,  the  whole  travel  per  trip  to  and  fro,  ....  44,295  yards. 


in  « 

41 

14 

15  « 

(1 

9 n •*  

If 

25  “ 

II 

30  “ 

II 

PROCEEDINGS. 


803 


The  expense  of  marling  per  100  bushels  (aecoiding  to  the  foregoing 
grounds  of  estimation,)  being  known  for  any  one  distance,  it  may  thence 
be  easily  computed  what  would  be  the  expense  for  any  other  distance.  The 
hauling  only  is  affected  by  the  difference  of  distance,  all  the  other  charges 
remaining  unchanged.  Thus,  my  marling  with  the  average  length  of  haul, 
ing  distance,  2872  yards,  (to  and  fro,)  cost  bO  cents  the  100  bushels,  of 
which  almost  precisely  half  was  the  cost  of  the  hauling.  Then  for  ten  times 
that  distance,  (making  8 miles  280  yards  from  pit  to  field,  or  16  m.  560  jda. 
to  and  fro,)  the  expense  would  be,  §4,45  for  the  hauling,  and  45  cents  for  all 
other  charges  ; amounting  altogether  to  4,90  the  100  bushels. 

Until  the  suspension  of  my  marling  in  June,  (for  harvest  and  other  labors, 
and  extended  by  rainy  weather,)  I found  my  ox  team  much  the  cheapest  for 
the  work  performed — the  estimated  cost  falling  considerably  below  that  of 
the  mule  carts.  But  when  resuming  hauling,  June  24th,  the  oxen  soon  began 
to  fail  in  the  middle  of  the  hottest  days— and  in  general  have  done  much  less 
work  since  than  previously.  Good  mules,  working  singly,  to  light  carts,  are 
the  most  effective,  for  distances  of  less  than  a mile  from  pit  to  field.  Two 
mule  carts,  and,  still  more  larger  teams  in  wagons,  lose  so  much  more  time  in 
loading  and  unloading,  that  they  are  less  profitable,  unless  for  longer  d is. 
tances  ; and  these  are  the  moie  preferable  in  proportion  to  the  length  of 
distance. 

Much  the  greater  number  of  mule  loads  were  8 bushels  only,  so  that  after 
being  increased,  first  to  8^,  and  then  to  8£,  the  general  average  was  still  but 
8.095,  which  is  the  amount  assumed  in  the  foregoing  estimate.  But  there  is  no 
doubt  that  the  recent  increase  to  8J  can  be  maintained,  (as  it  has  been  since, 
to  this  time,  Sept.  26th,)  and  that  it  is  therefore  none  too  much  for  an  esti- 
mate of  what  may  done  easily  and  regularly.  This  opinion  does  not  rest  on 
my  own  reecent  and  limited  observations  only,  but  on  much  better  grounds. 
Since  the  foregoing  record  of  daily  labor  was  nearly  completed,  I have  seen 
the  team  of  Mr.  P.  B.  Winston,  of  this  county,  at  their  regular  work.  He 
has  5 carts,  each  drawn  by  two  very  fine  mules,  all  much  better  than  mine. 
He  carries  marl  three  miles  (measured)  from  the  pit  to  his  field,  and  makes 
4 trips  daily,  or  a journey  of  24  miles.  Three  of  his  carts,  carry  16  bushels, 
and  the  other  two  carts,  with  the  strongest  mules,  20  each,  the  carts  beum 
filled  even  full.  His  rouie  is  mostly  along  a public  road,  and  ascends  sev. 
eral  considerable  hills.  This  work  has  been  regularly  performed  long 
enough  to  establish  the  fact  that  the  teams  are  fully  equal  to  the  labor,  and 
keep  in  excellent  condition.  The  marl  used  by  Mr.  Winston  is  from  Mr. 
W ni.  F.  Wickham’s  beds,  where  it  is  free  from  water,  much  dryer,  and  con- 
sequently lighter  than  mine. 


304 


AGRICULTURAL 


1 have  also  learned  recently,  by  letter,  from  Gov.  Hammond  of  South 
Carolina,  that,  at  Silver  Bluff,  he  has  increased  his  loads  of  marl  to  18  or 
19  bushels,  for  carts,  and  to  20,  for  a light  wagon,  each  drawn  by  two  mules. 
He,  however,  does  not  permit  his  teams  to  travel  more  than  21  miles — and  I 
am  ready  to  believe,  that  this  greater  burden  with  less  speed  of  teams,  is 
better  than  my  own  procedure.  All  these  performances,  however,  were  on 
firm  roads,  very  level  routes,  (except  Mr.  Winston’s,)  and  in  summer  weath- 
er. Under  opposite  circumstances,  much  lighter  loads  would  require  heavi- 
er labor. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  objected  to  the  foregoing  statements  and  estimates, 
that  the  work  was  done  in  the  long  days  of  summer,  and  in  dry  weather, 
when  there  would  be  the  least  obstruction  to,  or  loss  of  labor  from  bad 
weather,  and  bad  roads.  And  I will  admit  further,  that  the  expense  incurred 
was  not  increased  by  sickness  of  anyone  of  the  regular  marling  hands,  nor 
by  any  other  important  loss  in  labour  or  materials.  All  these  would  be 
good  grounds  for  objection,  if  no  allowances  had  been  made  for  average 
losses  on  these  scores.  But,  in  the  general  estimates  of  the  cost  of  labor, 
there  were  made  the  ample  allowances  of  30  days  labor  of  the  year  lost  on 
the  average  by  each  man  and  boy,  by  bad  weather,  sickness  and  half  holi- 
days ; (besides  the  58  of  Sundays  and  regular  holidays;)  and  40  days  for 
each  mule,  and  also  enough  for  wear  and  breakage  of  carts  and  utensils. 
Therefore  the  proper  proportion  of  these  losses  are  in  fact  fully  charged  in 
the  estimate,  though  scarcely  any  of  such  losses  occurred. 

It  is  true  that  winter  marling  would  be  much  more  costly,  owing  to  the 
then  generaly  muddy  or  frozen  and  rough  roads.  And  therefore  during  that 
season,  and  when  the  earth  is  wet  and  soft,  it  will  be  better  to  suspend 
marling  labors,  if  the  teams  can  be  employed  at  other,  easier  and  as 
necessary  work.  My  marling,  however,  by  the  regular  or  appropriated 
force,  will  not  be  thus  suspended  until  the  work  is  much  more  advanced. 
For  the  extra  expense  of  the  more  disadvantageous  and  costly  winter 
marling  is  of  less  amount  than  would  be  lost  in  the  difference  of  pro- 
ductive value  of  land  marled,  and  the  same  if  left  unmarled.  Thus  it  is 
cheaper  to  pay  $4  an  acre,  for  marling  a field  before  taking  its  crop 
from  it  for  that  year,  than  to  take  the  crop  first,  and  afterwards  marl  it  for 
$2.  And,  therefore,  deeming  the  omission  or  delay  of  marling  tobe  by 
far  the  most  expensive  thing  in  regard  to  the  operation,  I shall  marl 
even  in  unsuitable  seasons  this  year,  so  as  to  avoid  the  necessity  here- 
after of  ever  again  bearing  the  much  heavier  expense  of  cultivating  any 
unmarled  ground.  The  effort  made  under  such  views,  and  without  les- 
sening  the  proper  extent  of  cultivation  for  the  farm  and  my  working  force, 
will  probably  serve  to  marl  250  acres  in  this  first  year  of  renewed  farm- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


305 


Ing  labors.  After  thus  providing  for  all  the  crops  to  be  planted  next 
year,  it  may  thereafter  be  more  economical  to  apply  marl  only  in  good 
seasons,  or  merely  fast  enough  to  dress  successively  the  remaining 
fields,  each  one  before  it  shall  come  under  cultivation,  according  to  its  turn, 
or  its  place  in  the  rotation  of  crops. 

EDMUND  RUFFIN. 

Hon.  Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook, 

Pres't  State  Ag'l  Society  oj  South  Carloina. 


4 


: 


' 


t 


PROF.  SHEPARD’S  ANALYSIS 


OE  COTTON-WOOL,  COTTON-SEED,  INDIAN  CORN  AND  THE  YAM  POtATOE. 

1st— COTTON  WOOL. 

One  hundred  parts  weight  of  cotton-wool  on  being  heated  in  a platina  cru- 
cible, so  long  as  brightly  burning  gas  continued  to  be  emitted,  lost  86.09 
parts— the  residuum  being  a perfectly  charred  cotton,  which,  on  being  ignited 
under  a muffle  until  every  particle  of  carbon  was  consumed,  lost  12.985,  and 
left  an  almost  purely  white  ash,  whose  weight  was  rather  under  1 p.  c.  or 
0.9247.  Of  this  ash,  about  44  p.  c.  was  found  to  be  soluble  in  water.  It 
contained  12.88  p.  c.  of  silicious  sand,  which  must  have  been  acquired  ad* 
ventitiously  in  the  process  of  harvesting  the  fibre.  Deducting  the  sand  from 
the  ash,  the  constitution  of  the  latter  is  as  follows  : — 


Carbonate  of  Potassa  (with  possible  traces  of  Soda,) 44.19 

Phosphate  of  Lime,. 25.44 

Carbonate  of  Lime, 8.87 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 6.85 

Silica,,.... 4.12 

Alumina  (probably  accidental,). 1,40 

Sulphate  of  Potassa,*  ***........... 2.70 

Chloride  of  Potassium,  'j 

Choloride  of  Magnesium,  | 

Sulphate  of  Lime,  j>  and  loss. .6.43 

Phosphate  Potassa,  I 

Oxide  Iron  in  minute  traces,  J ..  — 

100.00 


But  since  it  is  obvious  that  the  carbonic  acid  in  the  above  mentioned  salts 
must  have  been  derived  during  the  incineration  of  the  cotton,  the  following 
View  will  more  certainly  express  the  important  mineral  ingredients  abstracted 
by  the  cotton  from  the  soil  for  every  100  parts  of  its  ash: 


308 


AGRICULTURAL 


Potassa  (with  possible  traces  of  Soda,) 31.09 

Lime, .17.05 

Magnesia, 3.26 

Phosphoric  Acid, 12.30 

Sulphuric  Acid, 1.22 


64.92 

For  every  10,000  lbs.  of  cotton  wool,  then,  about  60  lbs.  of  the  above 
mentioned  ingredients  are  subtracted  from  the  soil  in  proportion  indicated  by 
the  numbers  appended,  i.  e.  omitting  fractions. 


Potassa, 31  pounds. 

Lime, 17 

Magnesia, 3 

Phosphoric  Acid, 12 

Sulphuric  Acid, 1 


Several  queries  were  submitted  to  me  along  with  the  sample  to  be  analyz- 
ed,  relative  to  the  effect  of  soils  on  cotton.  I regret  to  state  that  the  almost 
total  ignorance  in  which  we  are  still  left  respecting  the  composition  of  the 
varieties  of  this  fibre,  and  the  soils  producing  them  prevents  me  from  hazard, 
ing  any  explanations  on  the  subject.  This  is  the  first  destructive  analysis 
ever  made  (at  least  so  far  as  my  knowledge  extends,)  of  the  cotton-wool.  Nor 
am  I acquainted  with  the  properties  of  the  soil  which  afforded  it.  Prior  to 
any  deductions,  it  is  clear  we  must  know  the  composition  of  each  variety  of 
cotton,  as  well  as  that  of  the  soil  it  affects.  At  present  I can  only  venture  on 
connecting  together  two  facts  which  appear  to  occupy  important  relations  to 
one  another.  The  soil  of  St.  Stephen’s,  which  is  said  by  F.  A.  Porcher? 
Esq.,  to  be  a stiff  clayey  loam,  produces  the  strongest  and  finest  fibre  of  the 
Santee  varieties.  The  Sea-Island  qualities  are  supposed  to  owe  their  superi- 
ority  to  the  use  of  marsh-mud,  which  I have  ascertained  to  be  a clayey  admix, 
ture,  rich  in  alkalies  and  alkaline  earths.  Whether  the  similarity  between 
these  two  staples  is  influenced  most  (if  it  is  affected  at  all,)  by -the  chemical 
or  mechanical  qualities  of  the  soils  producing  them,  it  is  impossible  to  decide. 
It  is  also  conceivable  that  the  two  sets  of  qualities  may  conspire  to  one  and 
the  same  end. 

2d — COTTON-SEED. 

One  hundred  parts,  heated  as  above,  lost  77.475,  and  the  thoroughly  charr. 
ed  residuum  burned  under  the  muffle,  left  8.856  parts  of  a perfectly  white  asb. 
The  composition  was  found  to  be  as  follows  \ 


PROCEEDINGS. 


309 


Phosphate  of  Lime  (with  traces  of  Magnesia,) 61.64 

Phosphate  of  Potassa  (with  traces  of  Soda,) 31.51 

Sulphate  of  Potassa, • • • • 2.55 

Silica 1.74 

Carbonate  of  Lime, 0.41 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 26 

Chloride  of  Potassium, 25 

Carbonate  of  Potassa,  ") 

Sulphate  of  Lime,  j 

Sulphate  of  Magnesia,  and  loss, 1.64 

Alumina  & oxides  of  iron  & I 

manganese  in  traces,  J — 


100.00 

In  comparing  the  above  table  with  that  afforded  by  the  cotton-wool,  a 
marked  dissimilarity  presents  itself.  The  ash  of  the  cotton  seed  is  fourfold 
that  of  the  fibre ; while  the  former  has  also  treble  the  phosphoric  acid  pos- 
sessed by  the  latter,  as  will  the  more  clearly  appear,  when  ws  present  the 
analysis  under  another  form,  corresponding  with  the  second  table  under  cot- 
ton.  wool. 


Phosphoric  Acid, ....45.35 

Lime, 29.79 

Potassa, 1940 

Sulphuric  Acid, 1.16 


95.70 

From  the  foregoing  analysis  it  would  appear  difficult  to  imagine  a vegata- 
ble  compound,  better  adapted  for  fertilizing  land,  than  the  cotton  seed ; nor 
can  we  any  longer  be  surprised  at  the  well  known  fact,  that  soils  long  cropped 
with  this  s'taple,  without  a return  to  them  of  the  inorganic  matters  withdrawn 
in  the  seed,  become  completely  exhausted  and  unproductive. 

3J.— INDIAN  CORN. 

One  hundred  parts  heated  to  redness  in  a crucible,  so  long  as  brightly  burn, 
ing  flame  was  emitted,  lost  81.05  parts.  The  completely  charred  residuum 
on  being  ignited  beneath  a muffle,  upon  a platina  foil,  until  all  the  carbon 
was  consumed,  left  0.95  parts,  or  less  than  1 per  cent,  of  an  easily  flowing 
clear  glass.  This  ash  has  the  following  composition : — 


310 


AGRICULTURAL 


Silica, 

Potassa,  (with  traces  of  Soda,) 

Phosphate  of  Lime, 

Phosphate  of  Magnesia, 

Phosphate  of  Potassa,. 

Carbonate  of  Lime, 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 

Sulphate  of  Lime,  > 
Sulphate  of  Magnesia,  $ ' * * * 
Silica,  mechanically  present,. . 
Alumina,  traces, 

Loss, 


38.45 

19.51 

17.17 

13.83 

2.24 

2.50 

2.16 

79 

1.70 


1.65 


100.00 

Omitting  the  Silica  as  an  unimportant  loss  to  the  soil,  and  the  Carbonic  acid 
which  is  a product  of  the  analysis,  we  have  in  every  100  parts  of  the  ash  of 
the  Indian  corn,  the  following  important  inorganic  constituents  : — 


Potassa, 20.87 

Phosphoric  Acid, 18.80 

Lime, 9.72 

Magnesia 4.76 


55.15 

That  is  to  say,  for  every  1000  pounds  of  Indian  corn  sold  from  an  estate, 
the  land  is  robbed  of  9£  lbs.  inorganic  matter,  whereof  about  lbs.  consist 
of  principles  of  prime  value  to  all  species  of  crops.* 

4th.— SWEET  POTATOE,  (YAM.) 

The  tubers  analyzed,  though  fresh  from  the  market,  were  obviously  drier 
than  when  first  harvested. 

One  hundred  parts  of  the  thinly  sliced  tubers,  on  being  thoroughly  dried  at 
a temperature  of  200  degrees,  lost  58.97  percent,  of  water. 

One  hundred  parts  of  the  undried  potato  gave  1.09  parts,  or  rather  over 
1 per  cent,  of  a whitish  ash  stained  in  points  of  a bluish  green  color. 

Its  composition  was  as  follows  : 

* In  a recent  number  of  the  Boston  Journal  of  Natural  History,  I observe  som  e obser 
vations  by  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  on  the  inorganic  constitution  of  Indian  corn,  wherein 
Dr.  J.  supposes  phosphoric  acid  to  be  present  in  the  grain,  in  a free  or  uncombined  State- 
The  experiment  which  led  him  to  form  this  conjecture,  did  by  no  means  succeed  in  my 
hands  as  described  by  him;  for  although  the  grain  was  repeatedly  incinerated  upon  a bright 
platina  foil  under  muffer,  still  the  metal  lost  none  of  its  polish  or  malieabilitv.  Neither  can 
I agree  with  Dr.  J.  in  hie  opinion  of  the  presence  of  ammonia  as  a base  in  Indian  corn,  the 
volatile  alkali  obtained  by  him,  being  a product  rather  than  an  educt  of  the  analysis. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


311 


Carbonate  of  Potassa,  (with  traces  of  Soda,) 

Phosphate  of  Lime, 

Phosphate  of  Magnesia, 

Carbonate  of  Lime, 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 

Chloride  of  Potassium, 

Sulphate  of  Potassa, 

Silica, 

Chloride  of  Calcium 
Sulphate  of  Magnesia  and 
Lime, 

Alumina, 

Oxides  of  Iron  and  manga 
nese  in  traces, 


and  loss, 


60.00 

14.57 

5.60 
5.39 
3.90 

4.60 
, 4.35 

70 


99 


100.00 


One  hundred  parts  of  the  ash  from  the  sweet  potato  tuber,  contains  then 
the  following  inorganic  principles  which  must  have  been  withdrawn  from  the 
soil. 


Potassa, 43.59 

Phosphoric  Acid, 11.08 

Lime, 10.12 

Magnesia, 3-80 

Potassium, 2.42 

Chlorine, 2.18 

Sulphuric  Acid,. 1.90 


85.09 


Tabular  vieio  of  some  of  the  foregoing  results. 


In  Cotton. Wool. 

Cotton-seed. 

Indian  Corn. 

Potato. 

Weight  of  Ash, 

0.9247  p.  c. 

3.855  p.  c. 

0.95  p.  c. 

1.09  p.  c. 

Essential  inorganic  ingredients  absorbed  from  the  soil 
By  Cotton-wool.  Cotton-Seed.  Indian  Corn. 

Potato. 

Potassa, 

31.09 

19.40 

20.87 

43.59 

Lime, 

17.05 

29.79 

9.72 

10.12 

Magnesia, 

3.26 

trace 

5.76 

3.80 

Phosphoric  Acid, 

12.30 

45.35 

18.80 

11.08 

Sulphuric  Acid, 

1.12 

1.16 

trace 

1.90 

Chlorine 

traces 

traces 

— 

2.18 

Potassium, 



— 

— — 

2.42 

312 


AGRICULTURAL 


One  thousand  pounds  of  each  crop  gave  of  inorganic  ingredients,  of  the 
1st,  9-|  lbs.;  2d,  38J  lbs.;  3d,  9^  lbs.;  and  of  the  4th,  10  9-10  lbs. 

The  proportions  of  inorganic  matter  that  may  be  regarded  as  most  impor- 
tant, are — In  the  1st,  64-100  ; in  the  2d,  95-100  ; in  the  3d,  55-100  ; in  the 
4th,  85-100  lbs. 

If  equal  weights  of  cotton-wool  and  Indian  corn  be  taken  from  the  same 
area  of  land,  the  deterioration  to  the  soil  in  inorganic  principles  should  be 
nearly  the  same.  The  yam,  if  compared  with  either  of  these  crops,  would 
appear  to  rob  the  soil  of  a still  heavier  weight  of  saline  matter,  although  it  is 
noticeable  that  the  proportion  of  phosphoric  acid  abstracted  by  it  is  consider, 
ably  less,  and  that  no  portion  of  it  is  thus  withdrawn  in  the  condition  of  phos- 
phate of  potassa. 

Finally. — Under  the  same  weight,  the  cotton  seed  removes  about  four  times 
as  much  of  these  ingredients  as  the  yam,  and  six  times  the  quantity  that  passes 
off  by  the  cotton  wool,  or  the  Indian  corn.  Moreover,  the  proportion  of 
phosphoric  acid  (the  most  valued  mineral  constituent  of  a soil,)  in  the  cotton 
seed  is  nearly  double  that  in  Indian  corn,  and  treble  that  in  cotton-wool  and 
the  yam  ; whereby  the  inestimable  qualities  of  the  cotton  seed  as  a fertilizer, 
becomes  still  further  apparent. 


Charleston,  April  2 2d,  1844. 

To  Frederick  A.  Porcher,  Esq. 

Dear  Sir, — I thank  you  for  calling  my  attention  to  the  analysis  of  Sea- 
Island  cotton-wool,  by  Dr.  Ure,  as  quoted  in  the  valuable  Memoir  on  Cotton 
by  the  Hon.  W.  Seabrook.  It  is  the  first  notice  I ever  had  of  any  chemical 
examination  besides  my  own,  of  the  ash  of  cotton-wool,  and  it  is  proper  that 
I should  submit  a few  remarks  to  your  Society  respecting  the  different  results 
arrived  at  in  the  two  cases. 

If  the  example  analyzed  by  Dr.  Ure,  was  a fair  one,  of  which  I confess  I 
entertain  some  doubts,  several  discrepancies  would  appear  to  exist  between 
the  two  varieties  examined.  Before  alluding  to  these,  however,  I beg  leave 
to  state,  that  in  my  analysis,  both  of  the  wool  and  of  the  seed,  I contented 
myself  with  the  determination  of  the  proportion  of  the  phosphates,  without 
establishing  rigorously  the  ratio  of  the  magnesia  to  the  lime  ; neither  did  my 
analysis  give  by  itself  the  chloride  of  potassium,  (muriate  of  potash.)  Yet 
I am  able  to  add,  from  a recurrence  to  my  notes,  that  this  compound  fell 
short  of  3 per  cent.  I am  greatly  surprised,  however,  to  find  the  oxide  of 
iron  so  high  in  the  Sea-Island  variety,  since  in  that  of  the  Santee  it  cannot 
equal  half  a part  in  one  hundred.  Should  the  absence  of  carbonate  of  mag- 
nesia in  the  Sea-Island  variety  be  verified,  and  the  extraordinary  content  in 


PROCEEDINGS. 


313 


the  latter  of  chlorine  and  sulphuric  acid  be  established,  the  inorganic  differ- 
ence between  the  two  staples,  will,  to  say  the  least,  be  as  remarkable  as  those 
existing  in  their  physical  qualities. 

COMPARATIVE  STATEMENT. 


TABLE  I. 

Sea-Island.  Santee. 


Earthy  Phosphates, 17.4  26.44 

Carbonate  of  Lime, 10.6  8.87 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia, 0.0  6.85 

Chloride  of  Potassium,  (muriate  of  potash,)....  9.9  3.001 

Sulphate  of  Potassa, 9.3  2.70 

Silica, 0.0  4.12 

Peroxide  of  Iron, 3.0  0.501 


‘ TABLE  II. 

In  this  table  the  acids  are  separated  from  their  bases,  and  the  carbonic  acid 
is  omitted. 

Potassa, 

Lime, 

Magnesia, 

Potassium, 

Phosphoric  Acid,. . . . 

Sulphuric  Acid, 

Chlorine, - 

Peroxide  of  Iron,. . . . 

Silica 

Phosphate  of  Potassa, 

76.11  73.99 

Very  respectfully,  yours, 

CHARLES  U.  SHEPARD. 


35.24 

31.09 

10.28 

17.05 

3.20 

CO 

5.70 

1.501 

9.84 

12.30 

4.75 

1.22 

4.20 

1.50? 

3.00 

less  than  0 50 

00 

4.12 

00 

1.50? 

ANALYSIS  OF  MARLS  FROM  THE  VICINITY  OF  CHARLESTON. 

By  Charles  Upham  Shepard,  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  the  Medical  Col- 
lege of  the  State  of  South  Carolina. 

In  connexion  with  my  lately  completed  course  on  Chemistry  applied  to 
agriculture,  the  following  results  were  obtained,  which  as  they  were  in  some 
respects  novel  to  myself,  may  not  prove  wholly  uninteresting  to  others. 


314 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  specimens  examined  may  be  conveniently  referred  to,  under  the  fol- 
lowing names  : 

1.  Yellowish  gray  chalk-marl ; 2.  Greyish  white  chalk-marl;  3.  Argilla- 
ceous chalk-marl ; 4.  Marly  limestone. 

1.  Yellowish  grey  clialk-marl.  (Green  marl.) 

This  is  a loose,  slightly  cohering  stone,  much  freckled  with  brown  and 
blackish  grains.  It  easily  crumbles  down  when  wetted,  at  the  same  time 
assuming  a dark,  greenish  grey  color.  When  the  crumbling  particles  are 
thoroughly  washed  with  water,  so  as  to  float  off  the  finer  powder,  we  discover 
with  the  aid  of  a common  microscope,  little  fragments  of  shells,  zoophytes 
and  echinoderms,  as  well  as  of  bones,  mingled  with  fine  grains  of  sand,  and 
occasionally  with  particles  of  green  earth.  Dry  lumps  of  this  marl  do  not 
emit  the  argillaceous  odor  on  being  moistened. 

(a.)  From  Mr.  J.  P.  Clement’s  plantation,  on  the  west  bank  of  Ashley 
River,  fourteen  miles  above  Charleston.  The  bank  is  30  feet  above  the  bed 


of  the  river,  and  directly  contiguous  to  navigable  water. 

Silica... 28.00 

Carbonate  of  lime,  with  traces  of  carb.  magnesia, 58.00 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron, 8.80 

Alumina, 0.80 

Water, 4.00 


99.60 

Water  boiled  on  this  marl,  takes  up  an  abundance  of  sulphate  of  lime  and 
of  chloride  of  calcium.  The  stone  gives  off  fumes  of  ammonia  on  being 
wetted  with  solution  of  potassa.  It  is  also  slightly  impregnated  with  bitu- 
men, or  mineral. tar. 

(b.)  From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hanckel’s  place,  at  Church  Creek,  St.  Andrews. 
In  connexion  with  this  locality,  I noticed  various  fragments  of  fish-reinains, 
and  casts  of  a small  Cardium,  about  ^ of  an  inch  in  diameter. 


Silica, 

Carbonate  of  lime, 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron,. . 

Alumina, 

Water, 


29.08 
44.40 
, 9. 58 
, 7.00 
80 
4.00 


Soluble  ingredients  and  bitumen,  the  same  as  in  (a.) 


94.86 


PROCEEDINGS.  315 

(c.)  From  Pon  Pon  on  the  Ashepoo.  This  fragment  was  handed  me  by 
Dr.  Holbrook. 

Silica, 34.41 

Carbonate  of  lime, 53.56 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 2.12 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron,. . . . 2.47 

Alumina, 0.40 

Water, 4.00 


101.99 

Contains  bitumen.  Soluble  ingredients  not  tested. 

Mean  result  for  the  three  foregoing  localities. 


Silica, 30.43 

Carbonate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 57.55 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 6.09 

Alumina, 0.66 

Water, 4. OS 


98.73 

With  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron,  ammonia,  sulphate  of  lime,  chloride  of 
calcium,  bitumen,  and  very  feeble  indications  of  some  compound  of  potassium. 

2.  Greyish  white  chalk-marl. 

This  is  a fine  grained,  porous,  easily  pulverized  stone,  strikingly  analogous 
in  its  lithological  properties  to  the  chalk-marls  of  Westphalia.  Its  color  is 
greyish  white,  sometimes  tinged  brown  by  iron,  and  rarely  having  a pale  yel- 
low hue,  mingled  with  the  grey.  It  is  easily  crushed  to  powder,  even  with  the 
strength  of  the  hands,  especially  if  it  is  wetted.  It  is  richer  in  fossil  remains 
and  impressions,  than  the  variety  first  described.  The  most  conspicuous  of 
these  fossils  are  an  anthophyllum  of  a conical  form,  and  one  inch  or  more 
long,  a slender  jointed  coralline,  a caryophyllia,  stem  of  a pentacrinites  ? 
spines  and  plates  of  echini,  a cast  of  a small  belemnites,  of  a natica,  a fulgur, 
a ranella,  a scalaria,  a mytilus,  a venus  (2  inches  across)  and  cytherea  (of 
about  one  inch)  a cardium  and  shells  of  a balanus  (1  inch  across  and  J high.) 
In  addition  to  these,  are  noticed  frequent  fish  remains,  as  teeth,  bones,  and 
scales,  as  well  as  irregular  fragments  of  bones,  which  must  have  belonged  to 
larger  animals. 

(g  ) From  Drayton-Hall.  Specimen  from  Dr.  Drayton. 


316 


AGRICULTURAL 


Silica, 10.20 

Carbonate  of  lime, 66.04 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 2.56 


Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron,. . . . 8.60 


Alumina, 1.00 

Water, 4.00 


92.40 

Rich  in  ammonia,  sulphate  of  lime,  chloride  of  calcium,  with  distinct  traces 
of  bitumen. 

(b)  From  Dr.  Gedding’s  plantation,  called  “Elms,”  on  Goose  Creek,  a 
branch  of  Cooper  River,  and  fifteen  miles  from  Charleston.  It  has  a pale 
buff  color,  and  is  less  forsiliferous  than  the  variety  from  Drayton  Flail. 


Silica, 

Carbonate  of  lime, 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron,. . . . 

Alumina, 

Water,  


18.60 

68.00 

1.20 

9.20 

40 

4.00 


101.04 

Bitumen  and  soluble  matter  as  in  ( a .) 

(c.)  From  Mr.  T.  Harleston’s  plantation,  called  Ehvood,  on  Cooper  River. 


Silica, 16.200 

Carbonate  of  lime, 76.880 

Carbonate  of  magnesia,. 1.406 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 2.600 

Alumina, traces. 

Water, 4.00 


101.036 

Soluble  matter  and  bitumen,  only  in  traces. 

Mean  of  the.  three  results. 


Silica, 15.00 

Carbonate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 72.06 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,. 6.80 

Alumina, 46 

Water, 4.00 


93.32 

I 


PROCEEDINGS. 


317 


3.  Argillaceous  chalk-marl.  From  Mr.  Dixon’s  Plantation 

This  is  a light,  porous,  fine  grained,  clayey  looking  marl,  which  emits  a 
strong  argillaceous  oder  when  moistened,  and  eas  ly  falls  to  pieces  in  water. 
Its  color  is  dark  grey,  with  a tinge  of  yellow.  It  embraces  small  white  frag, 
ments  of  shells,  and  strikingly  resembles  certain  fresh  water-marls.  Among 
its  particles,  when  well  washed,  are  noticed  grains  of  sand  and  of  bone ; but 
the  latter  in  much  smaller  quantity  than  in  either  of  the  foregoing  varieties. 


Silica,  

Carbonate  of  lime 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  with  traces  of  peroxide  of  iron, 

Alumina, 

Water,.. 


16.00 

63.50 

7.00 

2.00 
4.75 
5.00 


98.25 

Soluble  salts,  only  in  traces. 


3.  Marly  limestone,  from  Wilmington,  N.  C.  Found  in  thick  beds,  contiguous 
to  the  Steam  Boat  Landing . 


This  is  rather  a firm  rock,  often  sub-crystaline  and  rich  in  fossils,  both 
zoophytic  and  molluscous,  besides  containing  frequent  remains  of  fish.  Cer. 
tain  portions  of  the  bed  which  are  softer  and  more  cretaceous  in  appearance, 
embrace  irregular,  oval  balls,  sometimes  of  the  size  of  a hazle.nutor  almond, 
which  are  green  and  often  mottled  like  serpentine.  Their  surface  is  often 
sprinkled  over  with  coarse  grains  of  sand.  In  hydrochloric  acid,  they  are 
principally  dissolved  with  rapid  effervescence ; from  which,  ammonia  throws 
down  a copious  precipitate  of  phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  and  the  clear 
liquor  subsequently  affords  abundance  of  lime  and  magnesia.  The  matter  not 
taken  up  by  the  acid  appears  to  be  sand  and  green  earth.  It  is  not  easy  to 
explaiu  the  origin  of  these  green  nodules.  The  marly  limestone  has  the  fol. 
lowing  composition : 


Silica, 16.00 

Carbonate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 80.00 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 2.80 

Alumina, 1.00 

Water, 2.00 


101.80 


318 


AGRICULTURAL 


REMARKS. 

Prior  to  these  analysis,  it  was  difficult  to  account  in  any  very  satisfactory 
manner,  for  the  known  efficacy  of  such  marls  in  agriculture;  since  the  soils 
on  which  several  of  them  had  bet  n employed  were  known  by  analysis,  to  be 
no  more  deficient  in  carbonate  of  lime  and  magnesia  than  the  prolific  soils  of 
the  Mississippi  Valley.  The  reason  assigned  for  marling  in  South  Carolina, 
by  Mr.  Ruffin,  viz:  that  carbonate  of  lime  ia  thereby  afforded  to  land,  does 
not  appear  to  me  to  be  the  chief  motive  the  planter  has  for  following  up  this 
practice-*  It  would  rather  appear  that  the  soluble,  saline  matter  and  bitumen 
are  also  among  the  active  ingredients  of  this  species  of  mineral  manure, 
while  the  phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia,  is  that  constituent,  which,  in  my 
opinion,  is  decidedly  paramount  to  all  others. 

This  view  of  the  efficacy  of  phosphatic  marie,  accords  with  what  is  known 
of  the  large  proportion  of  phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia  found  in  the  fruits 
of  plants,  and  especially  in  those  of  the  cereals  ;f  it  having  been  observed 
that  where  this  amendment  is  employed,  that  the  maturation  of  the  grain  is 
more  perfect,  the  quantity  and  quality  both,  being  highly  promoted. 

To  place  the  requisition  of  these  phosphates  by  plants,  especially  in  the 
ripening  of  seed,  in  a still  stronger  light,  I may,  in  conclusion,  quote  the  recent 
experiments  of  Dr.  Vogel,  [see  Annalen  der  Chimie  und  Pharmacie  1844,) 
on  the  distribution  of  mineral  substances  by  the  individual  organs  of  plants. 
This  interesting  paper  commences  with  the  statement  of  what  was  known 
before,  viz:  that  the  incombustible  residues  obtained  from  different  organs  of 
the  same  plant  do  not  agree  with  one  another  in  composition  ; the  ingredients 
being  often  quite  different  in  kind,  and  always  in  their  proportions.  For 
instance,  the  ashes  of  the  tubers  of  the  potato  are  quite  different  from  those 
derived  from  the  tops  5 while  other  diversities  again  exist  between  the  com* 
position  of  the  balls  and  that  of  the  stems. 

Dr.  Vogel  selected  for  his  experiments,  the  Ashes  of  the  Pyrus  spectabilis 
and  of  the  Sambucus  nigra. 

* This  writer  in  his  Report  on  the  Agricultural  survey  of  this  State,  (p.  51,  et.  seq. 
1843,)  observes,  that  this  ingredient  has  a strong  chemical  attraction  for  soluble,  putrescent 
matters,  vegetable  and  annimal,  and  a power  of  combining  with  them,  forming  compounds 
which  cannot  be  decomposed  by  air,  water  or  heat,  and  which  cannot  therefore  go  to 
waste,  but  which  are  perfectly  decomposable  by  the  powers  of  growing  vegetation,  and 
therefore  may  be  profitably  and  entirely  used  as  food  for  plants.  Herein,  he  observes  is 
the  great  secret  of  the  benefit  of  Calcareous  manures.  Other  useful  services  ennmerated 
by  the  same  judicious  writer,  are  their  neutralizing  the  acidity  of  certain  soils,  altering  the 
texture  and  absorbency  of  others,  causing  crops  to  mature  earlier,  also  as  being  an  essentia] 
aliment  of  plants,  of  preventing  malaria,  and  finally  ol  serving  to  impart  to  plants  such  a 
healthy  and  vigorous  state  of  growth  as  to  enable  them  to  escape  the  ordinary  sources  op 
injury. 

t See  analysis  of  cotton,  Indian  com  and  rice,  in  former  pages. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


319 


In  the  trunks  of  the  first  ofi  these  plants  he  found, 

Alkaline  carbonates, 4.6 

Carbonate  of  lime, 82.2 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 4.9 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, 8.8 

100.5 

In  the  leaves  were  found, 

Alkaline  carbonates,  with  traces  of  chloride  of  sodium,  sulphate  of  po- 

tassa,  and  alkaline  phosphates, 6.8 

Carbonate  of  lime,. 72.9 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 9.76 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, .10.50 

99.90 

In  the  fruit. 

Alkaline  Carbonates, 1.9 

Alkaline  phosphates,.... 14.1 

Carbonate  of  lime, 07.00 

Carbonate  of  magnesia, 5.52 

Phosphate  of  lime  and  magnesia, ...IS. 60 

Silica...... 3.70 

97.92 

On  comparing  these  results,  it  appears  that  the  soluble  salts  are  nearly 
eight  times  greater  in  the  fruit  than  in  the  stem.  The  phosphates  augment 
also  in  the  fruit,  while  the  carbonates  fall  off  from  86  to  45. 

In  the  Sambucus  nigra,  the  quantity  of  phosphoric  acid  in  the  trunk, 
amounted  to  10.5  p.  c.,  whilst  in  the  leaves,  to  13.6,  and  in  the  fruit  to  20.3, 
p,  c. 


I . . . - • • ■ - 


REPORT, 

ON  THE  REDUCTION  OF  THE  COTTON  CROP. 


The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  communication  of  Col.  Davie, 
addressed  to  the  Hon.  George  McDuffie,  W.  M’Willie  and  VV.  B.  Sea- 
bkook,  report : 

That  they  have  considered  Col.  Davie’s  scheme  of  a combination  among 
the  cotton  planters,  to  reduce  the  quantity  planted,  and  thus  enhance  the 
price.  They  regard  it,  in  the  first  place,  as  impracticable.  The  habits  of 
planters  are  those  of  separate  action  : the  combine  less  than  any  other 

class  of  men.  Each  regards  his  own  plantation  as  his  empire : he  looks 

around,  and  considers  what  will  best  promote  his  individual  interest  ; and 
though  there  is  no  doubt  that  many  might  be  induced  to  meet,  consult,  and 
possibly  write  in  favor  of  Col.  Davie’s  project,  yet  some,  and  probably  a 
great  many,  would  prefer  separate  action,  and  thus  destroy  the  scheme  in 
the  very  outset. 

The  vast  number  of  persons  engaged  in  planting  cotton  in  the  Southern 
and  South  Western  States,  renders  the  whole  project  impossible.  What  may 
be  our  interest  in  South  Carolina  might  not,  and  very  probably  would  not, 
be  the  interest  of  the  planters  in  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Arkansas,  Louisiana, 
Florida  and  Texas.  Their  means  of  raising  immense  crops  make  them 
insensible  to  that  which  presses  upon  us,  with  so  much  severity. 

In  the  second  place,  your  committee  are  persuaded,  that  ;if  such  a scheme 
were  practicable,  it  is  by  no  means  desirable  that  it  should  take  place.  For, 
in  its  most  favorable  action,  it  would,  in  the  end,  operate  very  much  to  the 
injury  of  the  cotton  planters.  If,  by  a reduction  of  one  half,  in  the  produc- 
tion, the  price  be  raised  one  or  two  hundred  per  cent.,  the  next  season  the 
quantity  raised  would  be  greatly  increased,  which  would  again  reduce  its 
value  to  a ruinous  extent.  Nothing  can  have  more  disastrous  effects  upon 
planters  than  this  fluctuation  from  low  prices  to  high,  and  from  high  to  low. 
All  which  is  necessary  to  our  prosperity  is  a diminution  of  our  wants,  and  a 
near  approach  to  certainty,  in  the  market  value  of  cotton.  Whether  it  be 
high  or  low  is  of  little  consequence.  Every  thing  will  soon  conform  to  it. 
From  the  cheapness  and  superior  quality  of  our  cotton,  it  has  possession  of 
the  English  manufactures  in  the  ratio  of  nine  to  one.  In  the  course  of  a few 
21 


322 


AGRICULTURAL 


years,  if  we  continue  to  increase  the  quantity,  we  shall  in  a corresponding 
increasing  ratio,  diminish  the  production  in  East  Indian  and  South  American 
cotton,  and  at  length,  fairly  drive  allcompetion  from  the  field,  and  thus  secure 
a monopoly  of  cotton  in  the  markets  of  the  world.  This  will  give  security 
to  our  domestic  institutions.  For,  as  soon  as  the  world  feel  that  they  are 
dependent  on  us,  for  the  cotton  manufactured  and  worn  by  its  millions,  there 
will  be  no  disposition  to  take  from  us  our  laborers,  and  thereby  prevent  the 
supply  of  so  necessary  an  article. 

But  if  we  do  not  grow  the  quantity  now  exported,  and  keep  pace  with  the 
increasing  population  and  consumption  of  the  world,  the  vacuum  will  have  to 
be  supplied  by  other  nations.  On  looking  at  a statistical  table,  hereto  annex- 
ed,  it  will  be  seen,  that  almost  every  bale  now  exported  is  annually  consumed 
in  manufactures.  This  being  so,  it  follows,  that  the  supply  by  us,  or  others, 
must  meet  the  demand.  This  may  be  illustrated  by  reference  to  the  state  of 
things  in  the  British  West  India  Islands.  The  act  of  emancipation  withdrew 
an  immense  amount  of  effective  labor  from  the  cultivation  of  sugar  ; it  of 
course  diminished  the  supply  from  them,  but  increased  it  in  Demerara  and 
Louisiana.  The  object  of  Great  Britain  in  liberating  her  slaves  was  to 
pave  the  way  to  general  emancipation  in  the  West  Indies  and  North  Amer- 
ica. So  far  she  has  failed  in  accomplishing  it,  and  indeed  at  present,  it  looks 
from  her  importation  of  Africans  and  East  Indians,  as  if  she  was  half  way 
repenting  her  folly.  But  we  can  render  no  more  efficient  service,  in  accom. 
plishing  cherished  object,  than  by  diminishing  our  production  of  cotton. — 
When  we  shall  do  so,  her  East  India  provinces  will  come  into  the  market, 
and  supply  what  we  have  failed  to  do.  Let  her  once  turn  the  current  of 
trade,  and  give  the  monopoly  to  the  East  Indies,  which  we  now  have,  in  a 
short  time  we  shall  be  driven  from  the  field,  and  then  where  is  slavery  ? 
Our  negroes  will  be  valueless,  and  a burden,  and  of  course  their  owners  will 
cease  to  hold  them. 

Your  Committee  are  fully  convinced  there  is  not  now,  as  is  supposed  an 
over-production  of  cotton  ; for  there  cannot  be  an  over-production  of  an 
article  which  is  annually  consumed.  That  this  is  the  case  with  cotton, 
appears  from  the  statistical  table. 

The  situation  of  distress  in  which  we  have  been,  and  possibly  still  are,  is 
not  the  result  of  over-production.  It  resulted  from  the  visionary  specula- 
tions of  great  financial  and  commercial  schemes.  Many  indulged  in  fancies, 
illusory  as  the  South  Sea  scheme,  and  to  the  full  as  impossible,  as  the  dis- 
covery of  the  famous  el  dorado.  Such  men  gave  to  every  thing  a*Iancied 
value,  which  increased  as  their  imaginations  expanded — credit  was  unnatura- 
ly  extended,  until  debt  exceeded  every  possible  means  of  payment.  Hence? 


PROCEEDINGS. 


323 


the  revulsion  of  ’37  and  ’33,  and  the  prostration  of  much  real,  but  more 
fancied  wealth. 

At  the  present  moment  we  are  recovering  from  that,  by  natural  and  proper 
means.  Our  cotton  at  low  prices  is  paying  annually  our  debts,  and  com- 
pelling us  to  reduce  our  luxuries,  and  to  pursue  a just  economy.  The  cur- 
rency is  gradually  expanding, ’through  the  operations  of  our  well  regulated 
banks,  so  as  to' meet  the  wants  of  the  people,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the 
unprecedented  drought  and  consequent  loss  of  crops,  wherewith  it  has  pleased 
God  to  visit  us,  we  should,  in  the  next  year,  have  reached  a point  of  com- 
parative safety,  and  ease  from  the  past  pressure. 

The  extension  of  the  production  of  cotton  is  met  by  a corresponding 
demand.  Nearly  one  half  of  the  population  of  Europe,  especially  France 
and  Germany,  have  not  now  the  comfort  of  a cotton  shirt,  or  cotton  jacket. 
It  has  therefore  this  field  as  an  untried  market,  but  one  which  is  every  day 
opening  more  and  more  to  our  enterprize.  To  this  must  be  added,  that  per- 
severance on  our  part  will  drive  all  competitors  from  the  field,  and  when  they 
turn  their  attention  to  some  other  branch  of  business,  they  must  be  common 
customers.  Our  American  cotton,  and  very  probably  our  American  manu- 
factures, are  in  time,  and  that  a very  short  one,  to  be  used  by  every  civilized 
inhabitant,  and  also  many  a savage  one  of  the  world. 

But  if  the  production  of  cotton  in  the  North  American  States  was  dimin- 
ished one  half  the  amount  of  misery  which  it  would  cause  can  hardly  be 
realized.  The  cotton  planter  supports  millions  of  human  beings,  and  clothes 
hundreds  of  millions  more.  Let  him  extend  his  philanthropic  labors : he 
will  be  henefitted  by  them  : and  countless  thousands  will  call  him  blessed. 
At  this  time , every  indication  points  to  an  increase  of  price,  such  as  the 
opening  of  the  Chinese  trade,  the  general,  soundness  of  the  currency,  abun- 
dance of  poor  in  England,  the  possible  repeal  of  the  duty  on  raw  cotton  in 
every  country,  arising  from  competition  among  the  manufacturers,  and  the 
unprecedsnted  demand  for  machinery  in  England,  on  the  Continent,  and  in 
this  country.  To  these  encouraging  circumstances  it  must  be  added,  that 
probably  the  Tariff  which  has  been  to  us  the  source  of  so  many  troubles,  will, 
in  a short  time,  come  down  to  the  revenue  standard.  The  evils  under  which 
we  labor  are  not  those  of  over-production.  They  arise  from  two  other 
causes ; one  is  that  of  over-legislation.  Give  us  free  trade,  abolish  the 
unnatural  burdens  which  nations  have  imposed  upon  one  another:  in  a word, 
let  the  planter  be  free,  and  his  comforts  would  soon  be  duplicated.  If  the 
grower  of  cotton  could  send  his  crop  of  cotton  lo  any  part  of  the  world,  and 
receive  in  exchange  for  it  commodities  subject  to  a moderate  duty,  your  com- 
mittee  believe  that  the  demand  for  American  cotton  would  be  increased  to 
four  millions  instead  of  two  millions  of  bales.  This  we  would  be  unable  to 


324  AGRICULTURAL 

furnish,  for  the  land  adapted  to  its  growth  is  greater  in  quantity  than  will 
ever  be  cultivated,  the  number  of  laborers  is  limited.  Unless  j the  African 
slave  trade  be  again  opened,  or  the  introduction  of  slaves  from  the  West 
Indies  be  permitted,  (of  which  no  one  dreams)  an  increased  cultivation  can 
only  arise  from  the  withdrawal  of  laborers  from  the  cultivation  of  rice, 
tobacco  and  sugar,  (than  which  nothing  is  less  probable,  especially  in  refer- 
ence to  the  latter  article,)  an  increase  of  population,  and  improved  modes  of 
cultivation.  These  sources  of  an  increase  of  production,  are  so  limited,  that 
they  never  can  meet  the  demand  which  would  arise  from  free  trade.  We 
agree  with  a late  writer,  that  “ the  American  tariff  is  the  origin  of  all  the 
hostility  of  foreign  nations  to  the  institutions  of  the  South.”  It  is  clear  to 
our  minds,  that  there  can  be  no  improvement  in  the  business  of  planting, 
until  this  unnatural  hostility  and  its  cause  be  removed.  For,  every  Southern 
planter  feels  Ins  want  of  security,  and  the  effect  of  this  is  increased  upon 
him  by  the  belief,  in  the  non-slaveholding  States,  that  slavery  is  to  soon 
perish  by  its  own  weight.  Let  him  and  all  others  feel  that  he  is  secure  in 
his  property,  and  it  will  quadruple  his  energy  and  success. 

Another  cause  of  our  distress  is,  that  in  a large  portion  of  the  Southern 
country,  cotton  is  cultivated,  when  its  production  does  not  now,  and  never 
can,  at  all  compensate  the  planter  for  the  labor  bestowed.  Then  it  is  desir- 
able for  every  one,  that  other  branches  of  industry  should  be  pursued.  In 
such  sections,  manufactures  may  be  most  profitably  substituted,  and  every 
manufactory  established  will  be  not  only  additional  wealth  to  the  proprietors 
and  the  country,  but  will  also  materially  aid  the  cotton  planter  by  increasing 
the  consumption. 

We  don’t  intend  to  encourage  the  cultivation  of  cotton  to  the  neglect  of  the 
other  products  necessary  to  support  or  comfort.  Every  planter  should 
promptly  render  himself  independent,  in  reference  to  those  articles  which 
could  be  produced  on  his  plantation.  In  this  way  he  would  profitably  curtail 
the  quantity  of  land  devoted  to  the  cotton  crop.  An  abandonment  of  the 
present  extremely  defective  mode  of  culture,  and  the  substitution  of  a better, 
would  insure  a larger  quantity  of  cotton  than  would  be  lost  by  diversying  the 
products  of  industry.  In  other  words,  his  cotton  crop  would  be  larger,  his 
corn,  wheat,  rice,  oats,  barley,  horses,  mules,  hogs,  cattle,  sheep,  brnter  and 
vegetables,  would  be  the  produce  of  his  farm. 

If,  however,  the  cotton  crop  is  to  be  given  up  one  half,  after  all  the  reduc- 
tions of  it  which  we  have  sanctioned,  to  what  else  can  the  planter  of  the 
South  so  profitably  turn  his  attention  ? To  grain  1 He  already  in  ordinary 
years , produces  twice  as  much  as  the  middle  States,  and  about  one-eighth 
more  than  the  west.  In  Indian  corn  alone,  the  produce  of  the  South,  by 
her  last  cencus,  was  300,000,000  bushels.  If  the  planter  of  cotton  is  engaged 


PROCEEDINGS. 


325 


in  an  unprofitable  business,  much  more  is  the  grain  raised.  The  interest  on 
capital  invested  in  agriculture  at  the  North,  is  less  than  3 per  cent.  ; here  it 
is  about  4 per  cent.  That  the  rice  and  tobacco  culture  might  be  profitably 
extended  in  this  State,  and  will  be  in  South  West  and  Texas,  is  true.  Mil- 
lions of  acres  in  South  Carolina,  including  the  lower  country,  are  abmirably 
adapted  to  the  raising  of  rich  grasses.  This  might  be  added  as  another 
branch  of  industry,  from  which  reasonable  profits  could  be  realized,  and 
might  very  well  be  added  to  the  cotton  planter’s  income.  The  business  of 
tanning,  and  the  manufactures  of  leather,  might  be,  and  ought  to  be  enlarged. 
In  this  State,  all  the  means  of  a successful  pursuit  of  this  branch  of  industry 
are  at  hand,  and  within  the  reach  of  every  one.  Hides,  lime,  bark,  and 
mechanics  (slaves)  are  abundant.  A few  years  ago,  the  capital  engaged  in 
this  branch  of  industry  in  Massachusetts,  was  $14,000,000,  while  that  of 
cotton,  was  $13,000,000,  and  wool  less,  less  than  $11,000,000. 

Another  great  inducement  to  South  Carolina  to  persevere  in  the  cultivation 
of  cotton,  (where,  in  reference  to  quantity,  it  can  be  advantageously  grown) 
is  that,  it  is  now  highly  probable  thet  very  many  planters  in  Mississippi, 
Louisiana  and  Texas,  will  in  future  direct  their  attention  to  tobacco  and 
sugar.  Their  lands  are  well  adapted  to  these  productions,  and  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  duty  on  American  sugar  in  Great  Britain  is  one  strong  reason 
why  the  culture  should  be  extended. 

For  these  reasons,  your  Committee  disapprove  of  any  scheme  which 
would  have  a tendency  to  materially  abridge  the  quantity  of  cotton  produced. 
Indeed,  they  trust  that  it  will  continue  to  increase,  and  carry  its  blessings  as 
it  were  on  the  wings  of  the  wind,  until  every  inhabitant  shall  fully  realize 
the  benefit  of  cotton  fabrics  for  all  the  purposes  to  which  wool,  flax,  silk  and 
hemp,  have  been  heretofore  devoted. 

W.  B.  SEABROOK, 

JOHN  BELTON  O’NEALL. 


Col.  McWillie’s  absence  from  South  Carolina,  and  Mr.  McDuffie’s  ill  health, 
prevented  the  committee  from  enjoying  the  benefit  of  their  services  and  coun- 
sel. Mr.  Alston  concurs  in  the  entire  report,  except  the  single  sentence  : 
and  his  reasons  for  that  dissent  are  appended. 


I concur  in  the  opinion  that  Col.  Davie’s  plan  of  reducing  the  cotton  crop, 
by  obtaining  an  agreement  among  the  planters  to  plant  one  half  or  two  thirds 
of  a crop,  is  impracticable. 


326 


AGRICULTURAL 


I also  believe  that  it  is  the  true  policy  of  the  Southern  or  cotton  growing 
States,  to  retain,  by  all  means  in  their  power,  their  ascendency  in  the  cotton 
markets  of  the  world,  and  to  do  nothing  calculated  to  encourage  the  extension 
of  the  growth  of  cotton  in  other  portions  of  the  world. 

I however  disagree  to  the  opinion  that  “there  is  not  now  an  over-produc- 
tion of  cotton.”  I am  inclined  to  believe  that  the  low  prices  are  to  be  as- 
cribed  mainly  to  the  heavy  crops.  It  is  familiar  to  all  who  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  attending  to  the  accounts  brought  from  Europe  by  the  different  ar- 
rivals of  vessels,  that  the  prices  there  are  controlled  principally  by  the  latest 
accounts  from  this  side  of  the  water,  of  the  prospects  of  the  coming  crop , or 
the  probable  amount  of  the  supply  of  cotton  from  the  United  States.  If  the 
latest  accounts  from  America  had  been,  that  the  prospect  was  good,  or  in 
favor  of  a large  supply,  then  the  prices  there  (in  Europe)  fell,  and  vice  versa. 

And  these  accounts  from  America  seem  to  have  a greater  control  than  all 
other  causes  combined.  The  reduction  of  price  of  the  raw  material,  in. 
duces,  to  some  extent,  an  increase  of  the  consumption,  by  enabling  the 
manufacturer  to  make  and  sell  the  manufactured  goods  a little  lower.  But 
when  we  consider  how  little  must  be  the  cost  of  the  raw  meterial  contained 
in  a yard  of  heavy  cotton  goods — even  at  ten  cents  per  pound  of  the  cotton, 
we  cannot  suppose  that  the  price  of  the  raw  material  can  have  much  influ- 
ence in  increasing  or  diminishing  the  consumption,  unless  the  price  should  be 
much  higher  than  it  has  been  for  many  years.  Take  the  cost  of  the  raw  cot. 
ton  in  a yard  of  manufactured  cotton  goods,  (even  at  ten  cents  per  pound,) 
from  the  price  of  that  yard  of  goods,  and  it  will  show,  that  if  the  consump- 
tion is  governed  by  the  price  of  the  manufactured  goods,  it  is  mainly  by  the 
cost  of  the  manufacturing — not  of  the  raw  material. 

It  seems  to  me  that  if  the  consumption  kept  pace  with  the  production,  the 
the  price  would  not  be  affected  by  it  either  way,  to  any  great  extent ; but  that 
if  the  manufacturer  had  always  found  a ready  market  for  his  goods  he  would 
have  continued  to  purchase  the  cotton  at  the  usual  price,  and  therefore  there 
would  be  but  little  variation  in  the  price  of  cotton.  On  the  contrary  how- 
ever, the  manufacturer  could  not  obtain  a market  for  his  goods — they  would 
accumulate  on  his  hands — he  would  be  compelled  to  reduce  the  wages  of  his 
operativee,  or  stop  his  manufacturing  machines.  He  could  not  afford  to  buy 
cotton  any  longer,  unless  at  reduced  prices,  and  in  less  quantities.  There 
being  difficulties  in  getting  off  manufactures,  unless  at  reduced  prices,  a like 
difficulty  in  selling  the  raw  cotton  would  be  produced,  unless  at  reduced 
prices.  The  prices,  then,  must  come  do^n. 

I will  not  extend  my  remarks.  The  report,  in  other  respects,  I concur  in. 

I would  prefer  that  portion,  or  sentence  stricken  out,  as  I am  inclined  to  think 
that  its  omission  would  be  inconsistent  with  the  rest  of  the  report. 

Respectfully,  W.  J.  ALSTON. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


327 


Import  of  Cotton  from — expressed  in  1000;s  of  bales. 


1841. 

1842. 

1843. 

1844. 

United  States, 

1387 

1534 

1904 

1682 

Brazil, 

100 

104 

115 

123 

West  Indies, 

72 

72' 

49 

47 

East  Indies, 

324 

316 

227 

299 

Egypt, 

123 

108 

169 

126 

Stocks  imported,  and  consumption  of  Cotton  in  Europe,  reduced  to  bales  of 


300  pounds  each. 

Imports. 

Consumption. 

1841 

2,291,010 

2,215,026 

1842 

2,477,266 

2,422,926 

1843 

2,949,000 

2,654,000 

1844 

2,736,843 

2,667,469 

From  the  above  it  appears  that,  in  1841,  the  imports  exceeded  the  con- 
sumption, 75,934 ; 1842,54,340;  1843,295,000;  1844,  69,374. 

Stock  frst  of  January. 

1841.  1842.  1843.  1844.  1845. 

777,610  863,421  926,102  1,239,000  1,321,726 

Total  deliveries,  from  which  which  are  deducted  intermediate  shipments,  or 
surplus  of  exports  from  Great  Britain  ; also  the  stock  on  hand,  31st  De- 
cember, and  to  which  are  added  the  stock  on  hand,  January  1st.,  expressed 
in  1000’s  of  bales. 

1841.  1842.  1843.  1844. 

1846  2005  2155  2127. 

Importations. — It  will  be  seen  (says  the  Circular,)  there  is  a decrease  from 
the  United  States  of  about  200,000  bags,  and  from  Egypt  of  60,000  bags 
whilst  from  the  East  Indies  is  an  increase  of  55,000  bags,  and  a trifle  from 
the  Brazils,  which  leaves,  on  the  aggregate,  a deficiency  of  about  200,000 
bags  ; but  the  excess  in  the  stocks  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  made  up  the 
aggregate  supply  fully  to  what  it  was  in  the  previous  year. 

The  above  is  extracted  from  the  Circular  of  Collman  & Stotterfoght,  dated 
Liverpool,  31st  January,  1845. 


. ' 


MEMOIR  ON  SLAVERY, 


BY  CHANCELLOR  HARPER, 

READ  BEFORE  THE  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  ADVANCEMENT  OF  LEARNING,  OF  SOUTH 
CAROLINA,  AT  ITS  ANNUAL  MEETING  AT  COLUMBIA,  1S3T. 


The  institution  of  domestic  slavery  exists  over  far  the  greater  portion  of 
the  inhabited  earth.  Until  within  a very  few  centuries,  it  may  be  said  to 
have  existed  over  the  whole  earth — at  least  in  all  those  portions  of  it  which 
had  made  any  advances  towards  civilization.  We  might  safely  conclude 
then,  that  it  is  deeply  founded  in  the  nature  of  man  and  the  exigencies  of 
human  society.  Yet,  in  the  few  countries  in  which  it  has  been  abolished — 
claiming,  perhaps  justly,  to  be  farthest  advanced  in  civilization  and  intelli- 
gence, but  which  have  had  the  smallest  opportunity  of  observing  its  true 
character  and  effects — it  is  denounced  as  the  most  intolerable  of  social  and 
political  evils.  Its  existence,  and  every  hour  of  its  continuance,  is  regarded 
as  the  crime  of  the  communities  in  which  it  is  found.  Even  by  those  in  the 
countries  alluded  to,  who  regard  it  with  the  most  indulgence  or  the  least 
abhorrence — who  attribute  no  criminality  to  the  present  generation — who 
found  it  in  existence,  and  have  not  yet  been  able  to  devise  the  means  of  abol- 
ishing it,  it  is  pronounced  a misfortune  and  a curse  injurious  and  dangerous 
always,  and  which  must  be  finally  fatal  to  the  societies  which  admit  it.  This 
is  no  longer  regarded  as  a subject  of  argument  and  investigation.  The  opin- 
ions referred  to  are  assumed  as  settled,  or  the  truth  of  them  as  self-evident. 
If  any  voice  is  raised  among  ourselves  to  extenuate  or  to  vindicate,  it  is 
unheard.  The  judgment  is  made  up.  We  can  have  no  hearing  before  the 
tribunal  of  the  civilized  world. 

Yet,  on  this  very  account,  it  is  more  important  that  we,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  slave  holding  States  of  America,  insulated  as  we  are,  by  this  institution, 
and  cut  off,  in  some  degree,  from  tlife  communion  and  sympathies  of  the 
world  by  which  we  are  surrounded,  or  with  which  we  have  intercourse,  and 
exposed  continually  to  their  animadversions  and  attacks,  should  thoroughly 
understand  this  subject,  and  our  strength  and  weakness  in  relation  to  it.  If  it 
be  thus  criminal,  dangerous  and  fatal ; and  if  it  be  possible  to  devise  means 


330 


AGRICULTURAL 


of  freeing  ourselves  from  it,  we  ought  at  once  to  set  about  the  employing  of 
those  means.  It  would  be  the  most  wretched  and  imbecile  fatuity,  to  shut  our 
eyes  to  the  impending  dangers  and  horrors,  and  “ drive  darkling  down  the 
current  of  our  fate,”  till  we  are  overwhelmed  in  the  final  destruction.  If  we 
are  tyrants,  cruel,  unjust,  oppressive,  let  us  humble  ourselves  and  repent  in 
the  sight  of  Heaven,  that  the  foul  stain  may  be  cleansed,  and  we  enabled  to 
stand  erect  as  having  common  claims  to  humanity  with  our  fellow  men. 

But  if  we  are  nothing  of  all  this  ; if  we  commit  no  injustice  or  cruelty  ; if 
the  maintenance  of  our  institutions  be  essential  to  our  prosperity,  our  charac- 
ter, our  safety,  and  the  safety  of  all  that  is  dear  to  us,  let  us  enlighten  our 
minds  and  fortify  our  hearts  to  defend  them. 

It  is  a somewhat  singular  evidence  of  the  indisposition  of  the  rest  of  the 
world  to  hear  any  thing  more  on  this  subject,  that  perhaps  the  most  profound, 
original  and  truly  philosophical  treatise,  which  has  appeared  within  the  time 
of  my  recollection,*  seems  not  to  have  attracted  the  slightest  attention  out  of 
the  limits  of  the  slave  holding  States  themselves.  If  truth,  reason  and  con- 
clusive argument,  propounded  with  admirable  temper  and  perfect  candour, 
might  bo  supposed  to  have  an  effect  on  the  minds  of  men,  we  should  think 
this  work  would  have  put  an  end  to  agitation  on  the  subject.  The  author  has 
rendered  inappreciable  service  to  the  South  in  enlightening  them  on  the  sub- 
ject of  their  own  institutions,  and  turning  back  that  monstrous  tide  of  folly 
and  madness  which,  if  it  had  rolled  on,  would  have  involved  his  own  great 
State  along  with  the  rest  of  the  slave  holding  States  in  a common  ruin.  But 
beyond  these,  he  seems  to  have  produced  no  effect  whatever.  The  denoun, 
cers  of  slavery,  with  whose  productions  the  press  groans,  seem  to  be  unaware 
of  his  existence — unaware  that  there  is  reason  to  be  encountered,  or  argu- 
ment to  be  answered.  They  assume  that  the  truth  is  known  and  settled,  and 
only  requires  to  be  enforced  by  denunciation. 

Another  vindicator  of  the  South  has  appeared  in  an  individual  who  is 
among  those  that  have  done  honor  to  American  literature. f With  conclu- 
sive argument,  and  great  force  of  expression,  he  has  defended  Slavery  from 
the  charge  of  injustice  or  immorality,  and  shewn  clearly  the  unspeakable 
cruelty  and  mischief  which  must  result  from  any  scheme  of  abolition.  He 
does  not  live  among  slave  holders,  and  it  cannot  be  said  of  him  as  of  others, 
that  Ins  mind  is  warped  by  interest,  or  his  moral  sense  blunted  by  habit  and 
familiarity  with  abuse.  These  circumstances,  it  might  be  supposed,  would 
have  secured  him  hearing  and  consideration.  He  seems  to  be  equally  un- 
heeded, and  the  work  of  denunciation^isdaining  argument,  still  goes  on. 

President  Dew  has  shewn  that  the  institution  of  Slavery  is  a principal  cause 


* President  Dew’s  review  of  the  Virginia  Debates  on  the  subject  of  Slavery, 
t Paulding  on  Slavery. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


331 


of  civilization.  Perhaps  nothing  can  be  more  evident  than  that  it  is  the  sole 
cause.  If  any  thing  can  be  predicated  as  universally  true  of  uncultivated 
mai»,  it  is  that  he  will  not  labor  beyond  what  is  absolutely  necessary  to  main- 
tain his  existence.  Labor  is  pain  to  those  who  are  unaccustomed  to  it,  and 
the  nature  of  man  is  averse  to  pain.  Even  with  all  the  training, the  helps 
and  motives  of  civilization,  we  find  that  this  aversion  cannot  be  overcome  in 
many  individuals  of  the  most  cultivated  societies.  The  coercion  of  Slavery 
alone  is  adequate  to  form  man  to  habits  of  labor.  Without  it,  there  can  be 
no  accumulation  of  property,  no  providence  for  the  future,  no  taste  for  com- 
forts  or  elegancies,  which  are  the  characteristics  and  essentials  of  civilization. 
He  who  has  obtained  the  command  of  another’s  labor,  first  begins  to  accu- 
mulate and  provide  for  the  future,  and  the  foundations  of  civilization  are  laid. 
We  find  confirmed  by  experience  that  which  is  so  evident  in  theory.  Since 
the  existence  of  man  upon  the  earth,  with  no  exception  whatever,  either  of 
ancient  or  modern  times,  every  society  which  has  attained  civilization,  has 
advanced  to  it  through  this  process. 

Will  those  who  regard  Slavery  as  immoral,  or  crime  in  itself,  tell  us  that 
man  \Aas  not  intended  for  civilization,  but  to  roam  the  earth  as  a biped  brute  ? 
That  he  has  not  to  raise  his  eyes  to  Heaven,  or  be  conformed  in  his  nobler 
faculties  to  the  image  of  his  maker?  Or  will  they  say  that  the  Judge  of  all 
the  earth  has  done  wrong  in  ordaining  the  means  by  which  alone  that  end  can 
be  attained?  It  is  true  that  the  Creator  can  make  the  wickedness  as  well  as 
the  wrath  of  man  to  praise  him,  and  bring  forth  the  most  benevolent  results 
from  the  most  atrocious  actions.  But  in  such  cases,  it  is  the  motive  of  the 
actor  alone  which  condemns  the  action.  The  act  itself  is  good  if  it  promotes 
the  good  purposes  of  God,  and  would  be  approved  by  him,  if  that  result  only 
were  intended.  Do  they  not  blaspheme  the  providence  of  God  who  denounce 
as  wickedness  and  outrage,  that  which  is  rendered  indispensable  to  his  pur- 
poses in  the  government  of  the  world?  Or  at  what  stage  of  the  progress o^ 
society  will  they  say  that  Slavery  ceases  to  be  necessary,  and  its  very  exist- 
ence becomes  sin  and  crime?  I am  aware  that  such  argument  would  have 
little  effect  on  those  with  whom  it  would  be  degrading  to  contend — who  per- 
vert  the  inspired  writings — which  in  some  parts  expressly  sanction  slavery, 
and  throughout  indicate  most  clearly  that  it  is  a civil  institution,  with  which 
religion  has  no  concern — with  a shallowness  and  presumption  not  less  flagrant 
and  shameless  than  his,  who  would  justify  murder  from  the  text,  “ and  Phi- 
neas  arose  and  executed  judgment.” 

There  seems  to  be  something  in  this  subject,  which  blunts  the  perceptions, 
and  darkens  and  confuses  the  understandings  and  moral  feelings  of  men. 
Tell  them  that,  of  necessity,  in  every  civilized  society,  there  must  be  an  infi- 
nite  variety  of  conditions  and  employments,  from  the  most  eminent  and  intel- 
lectual, to  the  most  servile  and  laborious;  that  the  negro  race,  from  their 


382 


AGRICULTURAL 


temperament  and  capacity,  are  peculiarly  suited  to  the  situation  which  they 
occupy,  and  not  less  happy  in  it  than  any  corresponding  class  to  be  found  in 
the  world  ; prove  incontestably  that  no  scheme  of  emancipation  could  be  tar- 
ried  into  effect,  without  the  most  intolerable  mischiefs  and  calamities  to  both 
master  and  slave,  or  without  probably  throwing  a large  and  fertile  portion  of 
the  earth’s  surface  out  of  the  pale  of  civilization — and  you  have  done  nothing. 
They  reply,  that  whatever  may  be  the  consequence,  you  are  bound  to  do 
right;  that  man  has  a right  to  himself,  and  man  cannot  have  a propety  in 
man  ; that  if  the  negro  race  be  naturally  inferior  in  mind  and  character,  they 
are  not  less  entitled  to  the  right  of  humanity  ; that  if  they  are  happy  in  their 
condition,  it  affords  but  the  stronger  evidence  of  their  degradation,  and  ren- 
ders them  still  more  opjects  of  commiseration.  They  repeat,  as  the  funda- 
mental  maxim  of  our  civil  policy,  that  all  men  are  bom  free  and  equal,  and 
quote  from  our  Declaration  of  Independence,  “ that  men  are  endowed  by  their 
Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights,  among  which  are  life,  liberty,  and 
the  pursuit  of  happiness.” 

It  is  not  the  first  time  that  I have  had  occasion  to  observe  that  men  may 
repeat,  with  the  utmost  confidence,  some  maxim  or  sentimental  phrase,  as  self- 
evident  or  admitted  truth,  which  is  either  palpably  false,  or  to  which,  upon 
examination,  it  will  be  fount!  that  they  attach  no  definite  idea.  Notwith- 
standing our  respect  for  the  important  document  which  declared  our  independ- 
ence, yet,  if  any  thing  be  found  in  it,  and  especially  in  what  may  be  regarded 
rather  as  its  ornament  than  its  substance — false,  sophistical  or  unmeaning, 
that  respect  should  not  screen  it  from  the  freest  examination. 

All  men  are  lorn  free  and  equal.  Is  it  not  palpably  nearer  the  truth  to  say 
that  no  man  was  ever  born  free,  and  that  no  two  men  were  ever  born  equal  1 
Man  is  born  in  a state  of  the  most  helpless  dependence  on  others.  He  con- 
tinues subject  to  the  absolute  control  of  others,  and  remains  without  many  of 
the  civil,  and  all  of  the  political  privileges  of  his  society,  until  the  period  which 
the  laws  have  fixed,  as  that  at  which  he  is  supposed  to  attain  the  maturity  of 
his  faculties.  Then  equality  is  further  developed,  and  becomes  infinite  in 
every  society,  and  under  whatever  form  of  government.  Wealth  and  pov. 
erty,  fame  or  obscurity,  strength  or  weakness,  knowledge  or  ignorance,  ease 
or  labor,  power  or  subjection,  make  the  endless  diversity  in  the  condition  of 
men. 

But  we  have  not  arrived  at  the  profundity  of  the  maxim.  This  inequality 
is,  in  a great  measure,  the  result  of  abuses  in  the  institutions  of  society. 
They  do  not  speak  of  what  exists,  but  of  what  ought  to  exist.  Every  one 
should  be  left  at  liberty  to  obtain  all  the  advantages  of  society  which  he  can 
compass,  by  the  free  exertion  of  his  faculties,  unimpeded  by  civil  restraints. 
It  may  be  said  that  this  would  not  remedy  the  evils  of  society  which  are  com- 
plained of.  The  inequalities  to  which  I have  referred,  with  the  misery  result- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


883 


ing  from  them,  would  exist,  in  fact,  under  the  freest  and  most  popular  form  of 
goverment  that  man  would  devise.  But  what  is  the  foundation  of  the  bold 
dogma  so  confidently  announced?  Females  are  human  and  rational  beings. 
They  may  be  found  cf  better  faculties,  and  better  qualified  to  exercise  political 
privileges,  and  to  attain  the  distinctions  of  society,  than  many  men;  yet  who 
complains  of  the  order  of  society  by  which  they  are  excluded  from  them  ? 
For  I do  not  speak  of  the  few  who  would  desecrate  them  ; do  violence  to  the 
nature  which  their  Creator  has  impressed  upon  them ; drag  them  from  the 
position  which  they  necessarily  occupy  for  the  existence  of  civilized  society, 
and  in  which  they  constitute  its  blessing  and  ornament — the  only  position 
which  they  have  ever  occupied  in  any  human  society—- to  place  them  in  a 
situation  in  which  they  would  be  alike  miserable  and  degraded.  Low  as  we 
descend  in  combatting  the  theories  of  presumptuous  dogmatists,  it  cannot  be 
necessary  to  stoop  to  this.  A youth  of  eighteen  may  have  powers  which 
cast  into  the  shade  those  of  any  of  his  more  advanced  cotemporaries.  He 
may  be  capable  of  serving  or  saving  his  country,  and  if  not  permitted  to  do 
so  now,  the  occasion  may  haye  been  lost  forever.  But  he  can  exercise  no 
political  privilege,  or  aspire  to  any  political  distinction.  It  is  said,  that  of  ne- 
cessity, society  must  exclude  from  some  civil  and  political  privileges  those  who 
are  unfitted  to  exercise  them,  by  infirmity,  unsuitableness  of  character,  o? 
defect  of  discretion  ; that  of  necessity  there  must  be  some  general  rule  on  the 
subject,  and  that  any  rule  which  can  be  devised  will  operate  with  hardship 
and  injustice  on  individuals.  This  is  all  that  can  be  said,  and  all  that  need 
be  said.  It  is  saying,  in  other  words,  that  the  privileges  in  question  are  r.o 
matter  of  natural  right,  but  to  be  settled  by  convention,  as  the  good  and  safety 
of  society  may  require.  If  society  should  disfranchise  individuals  convicted 
of  infamous  crimes,  would  this  be  an  invasion  of  natural  right?  Yet  this 
would  not  be  justified  on  the  score  of  their  moral  guilt,  but  that  the  good  of 
society  required,  or  would  be  promoted  by  it.  We  admit  the  existence  of  a 
moral  law,  binding  on  societies  as  on  individuals.  Society  must  act  in  good 
faith.  No  man,  or  body  of  men,  has  a right  to  inflict  pain  or  privation  on  oth= 
ers,  unless  with  a view,  after  full  and  impartial  deliberation,  to  prevent  a 
greater  evil.  If  this  deliberation  be  had,  and  the  decision  made  in  good  faith, 
there  can  be  no  imputation  of  moral  guilt.  Has  any  politician  contended 
that  the  very  existence  of  governments  in  which  there  are  orders  privileged 
by  law,  constitutes  a violation  of  morality  ; that  their  continuance  is  a crime, 
which  men  are  bound  to  put  an  end  to,  without  any  consideration  of  the  good 
or  evil  to  result  from  the  change?  Yet  this  is  the  natural  inference  from  the 
dogma  of  the  natural  equality  of  men  as  applied  to  our  institution  of  sla- 
very— an  equality  not  to  be  invaded  without  injustice  and  wrong,  and  requir- 
ing to  be  restored  instantly,  unqualifiedly,  and  without  reference  to  conse- 
quences. 


334 


AGRICULTURAL 


This  is  sufficiently  common-place,  but  we  are  sometime  s driven  to  common- 
place. It  is  no  less  a false  and  shallow  than  a presumptuous  philosophy, 
which  theorizes  on  the  affairs  of  men  as  of  a problem  to  be  solved  by  some 
unerring  rule  of  human  reason,  without  reference  to  the  designs  of  a supe- 
rior intelligence,  so  far  as  he  has  been  pleased  to  indicate  them,  in  their  crea- 
tion and  destiny.  Man  is  born  to  subjection.  Not  only  during  infancy  is  he 
dependent  and  under  the  control  of  others;  at  all  ages,  it  is  the  very  bias  of 
his  nature,  that  the  strong  and  the  wise  should  e mtrol  the  weak  and  ignorant. 
So  it  has  been  since  the  days  of  Nimrod.  The  existence  of  some  form  of 
Slavery  in  all  ages  and  countries,  is  proof  enough  of  this.  He  is  born  to 
subjection  as  he  is  born  in  sin  and  ignorance.  To  make  any  considerable 
progress  in  knowledge,  the  continued  efforts  of  successive  generations,  and 
the  diligent  training  and  unwearied  exertions  of  the  individual  are  requisite. 
To  make  progress  in  morel  virtue,  not  less  time  and  effort,  aided  by  superior 
help,  are  necessary  ; and  it  is  only  by  the  matured  exercise  of  his  knowledge 
and  his  virtue,  that  he  can  attain  to  civil  freedom.  Of  all  things,  the  exist- 
ence of  civil  liberty  is  most  the  result  of  artificial  institution.  The  procli- 
vity of  the  natural  man  is  to  domineer  or  to  be  subservient.  A noble  result 
indeed,  but  in  the  attaining  of  which,  as  in  the  instances  of  knowledge  and 
virtue,  the  Creator,  for  his  own  purposes,  has  set  a limit  beyond  which  we 
cannot  go. 

But  he  who  is  most  advanced  in  knowledge,  is  most  sensible  of  his  own 
ignorance,  and  how  much  must  forever  be  unknown  to  man  in  his  present 
condition.  As  I have  heard  it  expressed,  the  further  you  extend  the  circle  of 
light,  the  wider  is  the  horizon  of  darkness.  He  who  has  made  the  greatest 
progress  in  moral  purity,  is  most  sensible  of  the  depravity,  not  only  of  the 
world  around  him,  but  of  his  own  heart  and  the  imperfection  of  his  best  mo- 
tives,  and  this  he  knows  that  men  must  feel  and  lament,  so  long  as  they  con- 
tinue men.  So  when  the  greatest  progress  in  civil  liberty  has  been  made, 
the  enlightened  lover  of  libertv  will  know  that  there  must  remain  much  ine- 

O •< 

quality,  much  injustice,  much  Slavery , which  no  human  wisdom  or  virtue  will 
ever  be  able  wholly  to  prevent  or  redress.  As  1 have  before  had  the  honor 
to  say  to  this  Society,  the  condition  of  our  whole  existence  is  but  to  struggle 
with  evils — to  compare  them — to  choose  between  them,  and  so  far  as  we  can, 
t)  mitigate  them.  To  say  that  there  is  evil  in  any  institution,  is  only  to  say 
that  it  is  human. 

And  can  we  doubt  but  that  this  long  discipline  and  laborious  process,  by 
which  men  are  required  to  work  out  the  elevation  and  improvement  of  their 
individual  nature  and  their  social  condition,  is  imposed  for  a great  and  benevo- 
lent end  ? Our  faculties  are  not  adequate  to  the  solution  of  the  mystery,  why 
it  should  be  so  ; but  the  truth  is  clear,  that  the  world  was  not  intended  for  the 
seat  of  universal  knowledge  or  goodness  or  happiness  or  freedom. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


835 


Man  has  been  endowed  by  his  Creator  with  certain  inalienable  rights,  among 
which  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  What  is  meant  by  the 
inalienable  right  of  liberty  ? Has  any  one  who  has  used  the  words  ever  asked 
himself  this  question  ? Does  it  mean  that  a man  has  no  right  to  alienate  his 
own  liberty — to  sell  himself  and  his  posterity  for  slaves  ? This  would  seem 
to  be  the  more  obvious  meaning.  When  the  word  right  is  used,  it  has  refer- 
ence to  some  law  which  sanctions  it,  and  would  be  violated  by  its  invasion. 
It  must  refer  either  to  the  general  law  of  morality  or  the  law  of  the  country — 
the  law  of  God  or  the  law  of  man.  If  the  law  of  any  country  permitted  it, 
it  would  of  course  be  absurd  to  say,  that  the  law  of  that  country  was  violated 
by  such  alienation.  If  it  have  any  meaning  in  this  respect,  it  must  mean  that 
though  the  law  of  the  country  permitted  it,  the  man  would  be  guilty  of  an 
immoral  act  who  should  thus  alienate  his  liberty.  A fit  question  for  school- 
men  to  discuss,  and  the  consequences  resulting  from  its  decision  as  important 
as  from  any  of  theirs.  Yet  who  will  say  that  the  man  pressed  by  famine  and 
in  the  prospect  of  death,  would  be  criminal  for  such  an  act?  Self-preserva- 
tion, as  is  truly  said,  is  the  first  law  of  nature.  High  and  peculiar  charac- 
ters, by  elaborate  cultivation,  may  be  taught  to  prefer  death  to  Slavery,  but 
it  would  be  folly  to  prescribe  this  as  a duty  to  the  mass  of  mankind. 

If  any  rational  meaning  can  be  attributed  to  the  sentence  I have  quoted,  it 
is  this: — That  the  society,  or  the  individuals  who  exercise  the  powers  of 
government,  are  guilty  of  a violation  of  the  law  of  God  or  of  morality,  when 
by  any  law  or  public  act.  they  deprive  men  of  life  or  liberty,  or  restrain  them 
in  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  Yet  every  government  does,  and  of  necessity 
must,  deprive  men  of  life  and  liberty  for  offences  against  society.  Restrain 
them  in  the  pursuit  of  happiness!  Why  all  the  laws  of  society  are  intended 
for  nothing  else  but  to  restrain  men  from  the  pursuit  of  happiness,  according 
to  their  own  ideas  of  happiness  or  advantage — which  the  phrase  must  mean, 
if  it  means  any  thing.  And  by  what  right  does  society  punish  by  the  loss  of 
life  or  liberty?  Not  on  account  of  the  moral  guilt  of  the  criminal — not  tv 
impiously  and  arrogantly  assuming  the  prerogative  of  the  Almighty,  to  dis- 
pense justice  or  suffering,  according  to  moral  desert.  It  is  for  its  own  protec. 
tion — it  is  the  right  of  self-defence.  If  there  existed  the  blackest  moral  tur- 
pitude, which  by  its  example  or  consequences,  could  be  of  no  evil  to  society, 
government  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  that.  If  an  action,  the  most  ham  . 
less  in  its  moral  character,  could  be  dangerous  to  the  security  of  society, 
society  would  have  the  perfect  right  to  punish  it.  If  the  possession  of  a black 
skin  would  be  otherwise  dangerous  to  society,  society  has  the  same  right  to 
protect  itself  by  disfranchising  the  possessor  of  civil  privileges,  and  to  con- 
tinue the  disability  to  his  posterity,  if  the  same  danger  would  be  incurred  by 
its  removal.  Society  inflicts  these  forfeitures  for  the  security  of  the  lives  of 
its  members ; it  inflicts  them  for  the  security  of  their  property,  the  great 


336 


AGRICULTURAL 


essential  of  civilization  ; it  inflicts  them  also  for  the  protection  of  its  political 
institutions;  the  forcible  attempt  to  overturn  which,  has  always  been  justly 
regarded  as  the  greatest  crime  ; and  who  has  questioned  its  right  so  to  inflict  ? 
“ Man  cannot  have  property  in  man'*— a phrase  as  full  of  meaning  as,  “ who 
slays  fat  oxen  should  himself  be  fat.”  Certainly  he  may,  if  the  laws  of 
society  allow  it,  and  if  it  be  on  sufficient  grounds,  neither  he  nor  society  do 
wrong. 

And  is  it  by  this—as  We  must  call  it,  however  recommended  to  our  higher 
feelings  by  its  associations—- well-sounding,  but  unmeaning  verbiage  of  natural 
equality  and  inalienable  rights,  that  our  lives  are  to  be  put  in  jeopardy,  our 
property  destroyed,  and  our  political  institutions  overturned  or  endangered  ? 
If  a people  had  on  its  borders  a tribe  of  barbarians,  whom  no  treaties  or  faith 
could  bind,  and  by  whose  attacks  they  were  constantly  endangered,  against 
whom  they  could  devise  no  security,  but  that  they  should  be  exterminated  or 
enslaved  ; would  they  not  have  the  right  to  enslave  them,  and  keep  them  in 
slavery  so  long  as  the  same  danger  would  be  incurred  by  their  manumission  ? 
If  a civilized  man  and  a savage  were  by  chance  placed  together  on  a desolate 
island,  and  the  former,  by  the  superior  power  of  civilization,  would  reduce  the 
latter  to  subjection,  would  he  not  have  the  same  right?  Would  this  not  be 
the  strictest  self-defence?  I do  not  now  consider,  how  far  we  can  make  out 
a similar  case  to  justify  our  enslaving  of  the  negroes.  I speak  to  those  who 
contend  tor  inalienable  rights,  and  that  the  existence  of  slavery  always,  and 
under  all  circumstances,  i nvolves  injustice  and  crime. 

As  I have  said,  we  acknowledge  the  existence  of  a moral  law.  It  is  not 
necessary  for  us  to  resort  to  the  theory  which  resolves  all  right  into  force. 
The  existence  of  such  a law  is  imprinted  on  the  hearts  of  all  human  beings. 
But  though  its  existence  be  acknowledged,  the  mind  of  man  has  hitherto  been 
tasked  in  vain  to  discover  an  unerring  standard  of  morality.  It  is  a common, 
and  undoubted  maxim  of  morality,  that  you  shall  not  do  evil  that  good  may 
come.  You  shall  not  do  injustice  or  commit  an  invasion  of  the  rights  of  oth- 
ers, for  the  sake  of  a greater  ulterior  good.  But  what  is  injustice,  and  what 
are  the  rights  of  others  ? And  why  are  we  not  to  commit  the  one  or  invade 
the  others?  It  is  because  it  inflicts  pain  or  suffering,  present  or  prospective, 
or  cuts  them  off  from  enjoyment  which  they  might  otherwise  attain.  The 
Creator  has  sufficiently  revealed  to  us  that  happiness  is  the  great  end  of  exist- 
ence, the  sole  object  of  all  animated  and  sentient  beings.  To  this  he  has 
directed  their  aspirations  and  efforts,  and  we  feel  that  we  thwart  his  benevo- 
lent purposes  when  we  destroy  or  impede  that  happiness.  This  is  the  only 
natural  right  of  man.  All  other  rights  result  from  the  conventions  of  society, 
and  these,  to  be  sure,  we  are  not  to  invade,  whatever  good  may  appear  to  us 
likely  to  follow.  Yet  are  we  in  no  instance  to  inflict  pain  or  suffering,  or  dis- 
turb enjoyment  for  the  sake  of  producing  a greater  good  ? Is  the  madman 


PROCEEDINGS. 


337 


fiOl  to  be  restrained  who  would  bring  destruction  on  himself  or  others?  Is 
pain  not  to  be  inflicted  on  the  child,  when  it  is  the  only  means  by  which  he 
can  be  effectually  instructed  to  provide  for  his  own  future  happiness?  Is  the 
surgeon  guilty  of  wrong  who  amputates  a limb  to  preserve  life  ? Is  it  not  the 
object  of  all  penal  legislation,  to  inflict  suffering  for  the  sake  of  greater  good 
to  be  secured  to  society  ? 

By  what  light  is  it  that  man  exercises  dominion  over  the  beasts  of  the  held  ; 
subdues  them  to  painful  labor,  or  deprives  them  of  life  for  his  sustenance  or 
•enjoyment?  They  are  not  rational  beings.  No,  but  they  are  the  creatures 
of  God,  sentient  beings*  capable  of  suffering  and  enjoyment,  and  entitled  to 
enjoy  according  to  the  measure  of  their  capacities.  Does  not  the  voice  of 
nature  inform  every  one,  that  he  is  guilty  of  wrong  when  he  inflicts  on  them 
pain  without  necessity  or  object  ? If  their  existence  be  limited  to  the  present 
life,  it  affords  the  stronger  argument  for  affording  them  the  brief  enjoyment 
of  which  it  is  capable,  ft  is  because  the  greater  good  is  effected;  not  only 
to  man  but  to  the  inferior  animals  themselves.  The  care  of  man  gives  the 
boon  of  existence  to  myriads  who  would  never  otherwise  have  enjoyed  it,  and 
the  enjoyment  of  their  existence  is  better  provided  for  while  it  lasts.  It  be- 
longs to  the  being  ol  superior  faculties  to  judge  of  the  relations  which  shall 
subsist  between  himself  and  inferior  animals,  and  the  use  he  shall  make  of 
them;  and  he  may  justly  consider  himself,  who  has  the  greater  capacity  of 
enjoyment,  in  the  first  instance.  Yet  lie  must  do  this  conscientiously,  and  no 
doubt,  moral  guilt  has  been  incurred  by  the  infliction  of  pain  on  these  ani* 
mals,  with  no  adequate  benefit  to  be  expected.  I do  no  disparagement  to  the 
dignity  of  human  nature,  even  in  its  humblest  form,  when  I say  that  on  the 
very  same  foundation,  with  the  difference  onl.y  of  circumstance  and  degree, 
rests  the  right  of  civilised  and  cultivated  man,  over  the  savage  and  ignorant. 
It  is  the  order  of  nature  and  of  God,  that  the  being  of  superior  faculties  and 
knowledge,  and  therefore  of  superior  power,  should  control  and  dispose  of 
those  who  are  inferior.  It  is  as  much  in  the  order  of  nature,  that  men  should 
■enslave  each  other,  as  that  other  animals  should  prey  upon  each  other.  I 
admit  that  he  does  this  under  the  highest  moral  responsibility,  and  is  most 
■guilty  if  he  wantonly  inflicts  misery  or  privation  on  beings  more  capable  of 
■enjoyment  or  of  suffering  than  brutes,  without  necessity  or  any  view  to  the 
greater  good  which  is  to  result.  If  we  conceive  of  society  existing  without 
government,  and  that  one  man,  by  his  superior  strength,  courage  or  wisdom, 
could  obtain  the  mastery  of  his  fellows,  lie  would  have  a perfect  right  to  do 
■so.  He  would  bo  morally  responsible  for  the  use  cf  his  power,  and  guilty  if 
he  failed  to  direct  them  so  as 'to  promote  their  happiness  as  well  as  his  own. 
Moralists  have  denounced  the  injustice  and  cruelty  which  have  been  practiced 
towards  our  aboriginal  Indians,  by  which  they  have  been  driven  from  their 
22 


338 


AGRICULTURAL 


native  seats  and  exterminated,  and  no  doubt  with  much  justice.  No  dolibf.- 
much  fraud  and  injustice  has  been  practiced,  in  the  circumstances  and  the 
manner  of  their  removal.  Yet  who  has  contended  that  civilized  man  had  no 
moral  right  to  possess  himself  of  the  country?  That  he  was  bound  to  leave 
this  wide  and  fertile  continent,  which  is  capable  of  sustaining  uncounted 
myriads  of  a civilized  race,  to  a few  roving  and  ignorant  barbarians'?  Yet 
if  any  thing  is  certain,  it  is  certain  that  there  were  no  means  by  which  lie 
could  possess  the  country,  without  exterminating  or  enslaving  them.  Savage 
and  civilized  man  cannot  live  together,  and  the  savage  can  only  be  tamed  bv 
being  enslaved  or  by  having  slaves.  By  enslaving  alone  could  he  have  pre- 
served  them.*  And  who  shall  take  upon  himself  to  decide  that  the  more 
benevolent  course,  and  more  pleasing  to  God,  was  pursued  towards  them,  or 
that  it  would  not  have  been  better  that  they  had  been  enslaved  generally,  as 
they  were  in  particular  instances?  It  is  a refined  philosophy,  and  utterly 
false  in  its  application  to  general  nature,  or  the  mass  of  human  kind,  which 
teaches  that  existence  is  not  the  greatest  of  boons,  and  worthy  of  being  pre- 
served even  under  the  most  adverse  circumstances.  The  strongest  instinct 
of  all  animated  beings  sufficiently  proclaims  this.  When  the  last  red  man 
shall  have  vanished  from  our  forests,  the  sole  remaining  traces  of  his  blood 
will  be  found  among  our  enslaved  population. f The  African  slave  trade  has 
given,  and  will  give  the  boon  of  existence  to  millions  and  millions  in  our  coun- 
try, who  would  otherwise  never  have  enjoyed  it,  and  the  enjoyment  of  their 
existence  is  better  provided  for  while  it  lasts.  Or  if,  for  the  rights  ot  man 
over  inferior  animals,  we  are  referred  to  revelation,  which  pronounces — yc 
shall  have  dominion  over  the  beasts  of  the  field,  and  over  the  fowls  of  the 
air,”  we  refer  to  the  same  which  declares  not  the  less  explicitly— 

“ Both  the  bondmen  and  bondmaids  which  thou  shalt  have,  shall  be  of  the 
heathen  that  are  among  you.  Of  them  shall  you  buy  bondmen  and  bond- 
maids,” 

“Moreover  of  the  children  of  strangers  that  do  sojourn  among  you,  of 
them  shall  ye  buy,  and  of  their  families  that  are  with  you,  which  they  begot  in 
your  land,  and  they  shall  be  your  possession.  And  ye  shall  take  them  as  an 
inheritance  for  your  children  after  you,  to  inherit  them  by  possession.  They 
shall  be  your  bondmen  forever.” 

In  moral  investigations,  ambiguity  is  often  occasioned  by  confounding  the 
intrinsic  nature  of  an  action,  as  determined  by  itsr  consequence,  with  the  mo- 
tives of  the  actor,  involving  moral  guilt  or  innocence.  If  poison  be  given 
with  a view  to  destroy  another,  and  it  cures  him  of  disease,  the  poisoner  fe- 

* I refer  Jo  President  Dew  on  thissubject. 

t It  is  not  uncommon,  especially  in  Charleston,  to  see  staves,  after  many  descents,  and 
having  mingfed  their  blood  with  the  Africans,  possessing  Indian  hair  and  fe stores. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


339 


guilty,  but  the  act  is  beneficent  in  its  results.  If  medicine  be  given  with  a 
yiew  to  heal,  and  it  happens  to  kill,  be  who  administered  it  is  innocent,  but 
the  act  is  a noxious  one.  If  they  who  begun  and  prosecuted  the  slave  trade, 
practiced  horrible  cruelties  and  inflicted  much  suffering — as  no  doubt  they 
did,  though  these  have  been  much  exagerated — for  merely  selfish  purposes, 
and  with  no  view  to  future  good,  they  were  morally  most  guilty.  So  far  as 
unnecessary  cruelty  was  practised,  the  motive  and  the  act  were  alike  bad. 
But  if  we  could  be  sure  that  the  entire  effect  of  the  trade  has  been  to  pro- 
duce more  happiness  than  would  otherwise  have  .existed,  we  must  pronounce 
it  good,  and  that  it  has  happened  in  the  ordering  of  God’s  providence,  to  whom 
evil  cannot  be  imputed.  Moral  guilt  has  not  been  imputed  to  Las  Casas,  and 
if  the  importation  of  African  slaves  into  America,  had  the  effect  of  prevent- 
ing more  suffering  than  it  inflicted,  it  was  good,  both  in  the  motive  and  the 
result.  I freely  admit  that,  it  is  hardly  possible  to  justify  morally,  those  who 
begun  and  carried  on  the  slave  trade.  No  speculation  of  future  good  to  be- 
brought  about  could  compensate  the  enormous  amount  of  evil  it  occasioned. 

If  we  could  refer  to  the  common  moral  sense  of  mankind,  as  determined 
by  their  conduct  in  all  ages  and  countries,  for  a standard  of  morality,  it  would 
seem  to  be  in  favor  of  Slavery.  The  will  of  God,  as  determined  by  utility,, 
would  be  an  infallible  standard,  if  wo  had  an  unerring  measure  of  utility. 
The  Utilitarian  Philosophy,  as  it  is  commonly  understood,  referring  only  to. 
the  animal  wants  and  employments,  and  physical  condition  of  man,  is  utterly 
false  and  degrading.  If  a sufficiently  extended  definition  be  given  to  utility, 
so  as  to  include  every  thing  that  may  be  a source  of  enjoyment  or  suffering, 
it  is  for  the  most  part  useless.  How  can  you  compare  the  pleasures  resulting 
from  the  exercise  of  the  understanding,  the  taste  and  the  imagination,  with 
the  animal  enjoyments  of  the  senses — the  gratification  derived  from  a fine 
poem  with  that  from  a rich  banquet l How  are  we  to  weigh  the  pains  and 
enjoyments  of  one  man  highly  cultivated  and  of  great,  sensibility,  against 
those  of  many  men  of  blunter  capacity  for  enjoyment  or  suffering?  And  if 
we  could  determine,  with  certainty,  in  what  utility  consists,  we  are  so  short 
sighted  with  respect  to  consequences — the  remote  results  of  our  best  consid- 
ered actions,  are  so  often  wide  of  our  anticipations,  or  contrary  to  them,  that 
we  should  still  be  very  much  in  the  dark.  But  though  we  cannot  arrive  at 
absolute  certainty  with  respect  to  the  utiliiy  of  actions,  it  is  always  fairly  mat. 
ter  of  argument.  Though  an  imperfect  standard,  it  is  the  best  we  have,  and 
perhaps  the  Creator  did  not  intend  that  we  should  arrive  at  perfect  certainty 
with  regard  to  the  morality  of  many  actions.  If,  after  the  most  carefuL 
examination  of  consequences  that  we  are  able  to  make,  with  due  distrust  of 
ourselves,  we  impartially,  and  in  good  faith,  decide  for  that  which  appears 
likely  to  produce  the  greatest  good,  we  are  free  from  moral  guilt.  And  1 
would  impress  most  earnestly,  that  with  our  imperfect  and  limited  faculties. 


340 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  short  sighted  as  we  are  to  the  future,  we  can  rarely,  very  rarely  indeed, 
be  justified  in  producing  considerable  present  evil  or  suffering,  in  the  expec- 
tation of  remote  future  good — if  indeed  this  can  ever  be  justified. 

In  considering  this  subject,  I shall  not  regard  it  in  the  first  instance  in 
reference  to  the  present  position  of  the  Slave-Holding  States,  or  the  difficulties 
which  lie  in  the  way  of  their  emancipating  their  slaves,  but  as  a naked, 
abstract  question — whether  it  is  better  that  the  institution  of  prasdial  and 
domestic  Slavery  should,  or  should  not  exist  in  civilized  society.  And  though 
some  of  my  remarks  may  seem  to  have  such  a tendency,  let  me  not  be  under- 
stood as  taking  upon  myself  to  determine  that  it  is  better  that  it  should  exist. 
God  forbid  that  the  responsibility  of  deciding  such  a question  should  ever  be 
thrown  on  me  or  my  countrymen.  But  this  I will  say,  and  not  without  confi- 
dence, that  it  is  the  power  of  no  human  intellect  to  establish  the  contrary 
proposition — that  it  is  better  it  should  not  exist.  This  is  probably  known  but 
to  one  being,  and  concealed  from  human  sagacity. 

There  have  existed  in  various  ages,  and  we  now  see  existing  in  the  world, 
people  in  every  stage  of  civilization,  from  the  most  barbarous  to  the  most 
refined.  Man,  as  I have  said,  is  not  born  to  civilization.  He  is  born  rude 
and  ignorant.  But  it  will  be,  I suppose,  admitted,  that  it  is  the  design  of  the 
Creator  that  he  should  attain  to  civilization  : That  religion  should  be  known, 
that  the  comforts  and  elegancies  of  life  should  be  enjoyed,  that  letters  and 
arts  should  be  cultivated,  in  short,  that  there  should  be  the  greatest  possible 
development  of  moral  and  intellectual  excellence.  It  can  hardly  be  neces- 
sary to  say  any  thing  of  those  who  have  extolled  the  superior  virtues  and 
enjoyments  of  savage  life — a life  of  physical  wants  and  sufferings,  of  contin- 
ual insecurity,  of  furious  passions  and  depraved  vices.  Those  who  have 
praised  savage  life,  are  those  who  have  known  nothing  of  it,  or  who  have 
become  savages  themselves.  But  as  I have  said,  so  far  as  reason  or  uni- 
versal experience  instruct  us,  the  institution  of  Slavery  is  an  essential  process 
in  emerging  from  savage  life.  It  must  then  produce  good,  and  promote  the 
designs  of  the  Creator. 

I add  further,  that  Slavery  anticipates  the  benefits  of  civilization,  and  retards 
the  evil>  of  civilization.  The  former  part  of  this  proposition  has  been  so  fully 
established  by  a writer  of  great  power  of  thought— though  I fear  his  practi- 
cal conclusions  will  be  found  of  little  value — that  it  is  hardly  necessary  to 
urge  it.*  Property — the  accumulation  of  capital,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  is 
the  first  element  of  civilization.  But  to  accumulate,  or  to  use  capital  to  any 

* The  author  of  “ England  and  America,'"  We  do,  however,  most  indignantly  repudi- 
ate his  conclusion,  that  we  are  bound  to  submit  to  a tariff  of  protection,  as  an  expedient 
tor  retaining  our  Slaves,  “the  force  of  the  whole  union,  being  required  to  preserve  Slavery, 
to  keep  down  the  Slaves.” 


PROCEEDINGS. 


341 


considerable  extent,  the  combination  of  labor  is  necessary.  In  early  stages 
of  society,  when  people  are  thinly  scattered  over  an  extensive  territory,  the 
labor  necessary  to  extensive  works,  cannot  be  commanded.  Men  are  inde- 
pendent of  each  other.  Having  the  command  of  abundance  of  land,  no  one 
will  submit  to  be  employed  in  the  service  of  his  neighbor.  No  one,  therefore, 
can  employ  more  capital  than  he  can  use  with  his  own  hands,  or  those  of  his 
family,  nor  have  an  income  much  beyond  the  necessaries  of  life.  There 
can,  therefore,  be  little  leisure  for  intellectual  pursuits,  or  means  of  acquiring 
the  comforts  or  elegancies  of  life.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  however> 
that  if  a man  has  the  command  of  slaves,  he  may  combine  labor,  and  use 
capital  to  any  required  extent,  and  therefore  accumulate  wealth.  He  shows- 
that  no  colonies  have  been  successfully  planted  without  some  sort  of  Slavery. 
So  we  find  the  fact  to  be.  It  is  only  in  the  Slave-Holding  States  of  cur  con- 
federacy, that  wealth  can  be  acquired  by  agriculture — which  is  the  general- 
employment  of  our  whole  country.  Among  us,  we  know  that  there  is  no  one, 
however  humble  his  beginning,  who,  with  persevering  industry,  intelligence, 
and  orderly  and  virtuous  habits,  may  not  attain  to  considerable  opulence. 
So  far  as  wealth  has  been  accumulated  in  the  States  which  do  not  possess 
Slaves,  it  has  been  in  cities  by  the  pursuits  of  commerce,  or  lately,  by  man- 
ufactures. But  the  products  of  Slave  labor  furnish  more  than  two-thirds  of 
the  materials  of  our  foreign  commerce,  which  the  industry  of  those  States 
is  employed  in  transporting  and  exchanging ; and  among  the  Slave-Holding 
States  is  to  be  found  the  great  market  for  all  the  productions  of  their  industry, 
of  whatever  kind.  The  prosperity  of  those  States,  therefore,  and  the  civili- 
zation of  their  cities,  have  been,  for  the  most  part,  created  by  the  existence  of 
Slavery.  Even  in  the  cities,  but  for  a class  of  population,  which  our  institu- 
tions have  marked  as  servile,  it  would  be  scarcely  possible  to  preserve  the 
ordinary  habitudes  of  civilized  life,  by  commanding  the  necessary  menial  and 
domestic  service. 

Every  stage  of  human  society,  from  the  most  barbarous  to  the  most  refin- 
ed, has  its  own  peculiar  evils  to  mark  it  as  the  condition  of  mortality;  and 
perhaps  there  is  none  but  omnipotence  who  can  say  in  which  the  scale  of  good 
or  evil  most  preponderates.  We  need  say  nothing  of  the  evils  of  savage  life. 
There  is  a state  of  society  elevated  somewhat  above  it,  which  is  to  be  found 
in  some  of  the  more  thinly  peopled  portions  of  our  own  country — the  rudest 
agricultural  state — which  is  thus  characterized  by  the  author  to  whom  I have 
referred.  “The  American  of  the  back  woods  has  often  been  described  to 
the  English  as  grossly  ignorant,  dirty,  unsocial,  delighting  in  rum  and  tobacco, 
attached  to  nothing  but  his  rifle,  adventurous,  restless,  more  than  half  savage. 
Deprived  of  social  enjoyments  or  excitements,  he  has  recourse  to  those  of 
savage  life,  and  becomes  (for  in  this  respect  the  Americans  degenerate)  unfit 
for  society.”  This  is  no  very  inviting  picture,  which  though  exaggerated,,  we 


842 


AGRICULTURAL 


know  not  to  be  without  likeness.  The  evils  of  such  a state,  I suppose,  will 
hardly  be  thought  compensated  by  unbounded  freedom,  perfect  equality,  and 
ample  means  of  subsistence. 

But  let  us  take  another  stage  in  the  progress — which  to  many  will  appear  to 
offer  all  that  is  desirable  inexistence,  and  realize  another  Utopia.  Let  us 
suppose  a state  of  society  in  which  all  shall  have  property,  and  there  shall  be 
no  great  inequality  of  property — in  which  society  shall  be  so  much  condensed 
as  to  afford  the  means  of  social  intercourse,  without  being  crowded,  so  as  to 
create  difficulty  in  obtaining  the  means  of  subsistence — in  which  every  family 
that  chooses  may  have  as  much  land  as  will  employ  its  own  hands,  while  oth- 
ers  may  employ  their  industry  in  forming  such  products  as  it  may  be  desira- 
ble to  exchange  with  them.  Schools  are  generally  established,  and  the  rudi- 
ments of  education  universally  diffused.  Religion  is  taught,  and  every  village 
has  its  church,  neat  though  humble,  lifting  its  spire  to  Heaven.  Here  is  a sit- 
uation apparently  the  most  favorable  to  happiness.  I say  apparently,  ior  the 
greatest  source  of  human  misery  is  not  in  external  circumstances,  but  in  men 
themselves — in  their  depraved  inclinations,  their  wayward  passions  and  per- 
verse  wills.  Here  is  room  for  all  the  petty  competition,  the  envy,  hatred, 
malice  and  dissimulation,  that  torture  the  heart  in  what  may  be  supposed  the 
most  sophisticated  states  of  society  ; and  though  less  marked  and  offensive, 
there  may  be  much  of  the  licentiousness. 

But  apart  from  this,  in  such  a condition  of  society,  if  there  is  little  suffer- 
ing, there  is  little  high  enjoyment.  The  even  flow  of  life  forbids  the  high 
excitement  which  is  necessary  for  it.  If  there  is  little  vice,  there  is  little 
place  for  the  eminent  virtues,  which  employ  themselves  in  controlling  the  dis- 
orders and  remedying  the  evils  of  society,  which,  like  war  and  revolution,  call 
forth  the  highest  powers  of  man,  whether  for  good  or  for  evil.  If  there  is  little 
misery,  there  is  little  room  for  benevolence.  Useful  public  institutions  we 
mav  suppose  to  be  created,  but  not  such  as  are  merely  ornamental.  Elegant 
arts  can  be  little  cultivated,  for  there  are  no  means  to  reward  the  aitists  nor 
the  higher  literature,  for  no  one  will  have  leisure  or  means  to  cultivate  it  for 
its  own  sake.  Those  who  acquire  what  may  be  called  liberal  education,  will 
do  so  in  order  to  employ  it  as  the  means  of  their  own  subsistence  or  advance- 
ment in  a profession,  and  literature  itself  will  partake  of  the  sordidness  of 
trade.  In  short,  it  is  plain  that  in  such  a state  of  society,  the  moral  and 
intellectual  faculties  cannot  be  cultivated  to  their  highest  perfection. 

But  whether  that  which  I have  described  be  the  most  desirable  state  of  soci- 
ety or  no,  it  is  certain  that  it  cannot  continue.  Mutation  and  progress  is  the 
condition  of  human  affairs.  Though  retarded  for  a time  by  extraneous  or 
accidental  circumstances,  the  wheel  must  roll  on.  The  tendency  of  popula- 
tion is  to  become  crowded,  increasing  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  subsistence. 
There  will  be  some  without  any  property  except  the  capacity  for  labor.  This 


PROCEEDINGS. 


343 


they  must  sell  to  those  who  have  the  means  of  employing  them,  thereby 
swelling  the  amount  of  their  capital,  and  increasing  inequality.  The  process 
still  goes  on.  Tne  number  of  laborers  increases  until  there  is  a difficulty  in 
obtaining  employment.  Then  competition  is  established.  The  remunera- 
tion of  the  labor  becomes  gradually  less  and  less ; a larger  and  larger  propor- 
tion of  the  product  of  his  labor  goes  to  swell  the  fortune  of  the  capitalist; 
inequality  becomes  still  greater  and  more  invidious,  until  the  process  ends  in 
the  establishment  of  such  a state  of  things,  as  the  same  author  describes  as 
now  existing  in  England.  After  a most  imposing  picture  of  her  greatness 
and  resources;  of  her  superabounding  capital,  and  all  pervading  industry  and 
enterprise  ; of  her  public  institutions  for  purposes  of  art,  learning  and  benevo- 
lence ; her  public  improvements,  by  whit  h intercourse  is  facilitated,  and  the 
convenience  of  man  subserved  ; the  conveniences  and  luxuries  of  life  enjoyed 
by  those  who  are  in  possession  of  fortune,  or  have  profitable  employments  ; of 
all,  in  short,  that  places  her  at  the  head  of  modern  civibzation,  he  proceeds  to 
give  the  reverse  of  the  picture.  And  here  I shall  use  his  own  words. “ The 
laboring  class  compose  the  bulk  of  the  people  ; the  great  body  of  the  people  ; 
the  vast  majorityof  the  people — these  are  the  terms  by  which  English  writers 
and  speakers  usually  describe  those  whose  only  property  is  their  labor.” 

“ Of  comprehensive  words,  the  two  most  frequently  used  in  English  politics, 
are  distress  and  pauperism.  After  these,  of  expressions  applied  to  the  state 
of  the  poor,  the  most  common  are  vice  and  misery,  wretchedness,  sufferings, 
ignorance,  degradation,  discontent,  depravity,  drunkenness,  and  the  increase 
of  crime  ; with  many  more  of  the  like  nature.” 

Re  goes  on  to  give  the  details  of  this  inequality  and  wretchedness,  in  terms 
calculated  to  sicken  and  appal  one  to  whom  the  picture  is  new.  That  he  has 
painted  strongly  we  may  suppose  ; but  there  is  ample  corroborating  testi. 
mony,  if  such  were  needed,  that  the  representation  is  substantially  just. 
Where  so  much  misery  exists,  there  must  of  course  be  much  discontent,  and 
many  have  been  disposed  to  traee  the  sources  of  the  former  in  vicious  legisla- 
tion, or  the  structure  of  government;  and  the  author  gives  the  various 
schemes,  sometimes  contradictory,  sometimes  ludicrous,  which  projectors 
have  devised  as  a remedy  for  all  this  evil  to  which  flesh  is  heir.  That  ill- 
iudged  legislation  may  have  sometimes  aggravated  the  general  suffering,  or 
that  its  extremity  may  be  mitigated  by  the  well  directed  efforts  of  the  wise 
and  virtuous,  there  can  be  no  doubt.  One  purpose  for  which  it  has  been  per- 
mitted to  exist  is,  that  it  may  call  forth  such  efforts,  and  awaken  powers  and 
virtues  which  would  otherwise  have  slumbered  for  want  of  object.  But  rem- 
edy there  is  none,  unless  it  be  to  abandon  their  civilization.  This  inequality, 
this  vice,  this  misery,  this  Slavery , is  the  price  of  England’s  civilization. 
They  suffer  the  lot  of  humanity.  But  perhaps  we  may  be  permitted  humbly 


344 


AGRICULTURAL 


to  hope,  that  great,  intense  and  widely  spread  as  this  misery  undoubtedly  is  in 
reality,  it  may  yet  be  less  so  than  in  appearance.  We  can  estimate  but  very, 
very  imperfectly,  the  good  and  evil  of  individual  condition,  as  of  different 
states  of  society.  Some  unexpected  solace  arises  to  animate  the  severest 
calamity.  Wonderful  is  the  power  of  custom,  in  making  the  hardest  condi- 
tion tolerable ; the  most  generally  wretched  life,  has  circumstances  of  mill' 
gation,  and  moments  of  vivid  enjoyment,  of  which  the  more  seemingly  hap. 
py  can  scarcely  conceive  ; though  the  lives  of  individuals  be  shortened,  the 
aggregate  of  existence  is  increased  ; even  the  various  forms  of  death  accel- 
erated by  want,  familiarized  to  the  contemplation,  like  death  to  the  soldier  on 
the  field  of  battle,  may  become  scarcely  more  formidable,  than  w hat  we  are 
accustomed  to  regard  as  nature’s  ordinary  outlets  of  existence.  If  we  could 
perfectly  analyze  the  enjoyments  and  sufferings  of  the  most  happy,  and  the 
most  miserable  man,  we  should  perhaps  be  startled  to  find  the  difference  so 
much  less  than  our  previous  impressions  had  led  us  to  conceive.  But  it  is 
not  for  us  to  assume  the  province  of  omniscience.  The  particular  theory  of 
the  author  quoted,  seems  to  be  founded  on  an  assumption  of  this  sort — that 
there  is  a certain  stage  in  the  progress,  when  there  is  a certain  balance  be- 
tween  the  demand  for  labor,  and  the  supply  of  it,  which  is  more  desirable  than 
any  other — when  the  territory  is  so  thickly  peopled  that  all  cannot  own  land 
and  cultivate  the  soil  for  themselves,  but  a portion  will  be  compelled  to  sell 
their  labor  to  others  ; still  leaving,  however,  the  wages  of  labor  high,  and  the 
laborer  independent.  It  is  plain,  however,  that  this  would,  in  like  manner, 
partake  of  the  good  and  the  evil  of  other  states  of  society.  There  would  be 
less  of  equality  and  less  rudeness,  than  in  the  early  stages;  less  civilization, 
and  less  suffering,  than  in  the  latter. 

It  is  the  competition  for  employment,  which  is  the  source  of  this  misery 
of  society,  that  gives  rise  to  all  excellence  in  art  and  knowledge.  When  the 
demand  for  labor  exceeds  the  supply,  the  services  of  the  most  ordinarily  qual- 
ified laborer  will  be  eagerly  retained.  When  the  supply  begins  to  exceed, 
and  competition  is  established,  higher  and  higher  qualifications  will  be  requir- 
ed, until  at  length  when  it  becomes  very  intense,  none  but  the  most  consum- 
mately skilful  can  be  sure  to  be  employed.  Nothing  but  necessity  can  drive 
men  to  the  exertions  which  are  necessary  so  to  qualify  themselves-  But  it  is 
not  in  arts,  merely  mechanical  alone,  that  this  superior  excellence  will  be 
required.  It  will  be  extended  to  every  intellectual  employment ; and  though 
this  may  not  be  the  effect  in  the  instance  of  every  individual,  yet  it  will  fix  the 
habits  and  character  of  the  society,  and  prescribe  every  where,  and  in  every 
department,  the  highest  possible  standard  of  attainment. 

But  how  is  it  that  the  existence  of  Slavery  as  with  us,  will  retard  the  evils 
of  civilization?  Very  obviously-  It  is  the  intense  competition  of  civilized 


PROCEEDINGS. 


345 


life,  that  gives  rise  to  the  excessive  cheapness  of  labor,  and  the  excessive 
cheapness  of  labor  is  ihe  cause  of  the  evils  in  question.  Slave  labor  can 
never  be  so  cheap  as  what  is  called  free  labor.  Political  economists  have 
established  as  the  natural  standard  of  wages  in  a fully  peopled  country,  the 
value  of  the  laborer’s  subsistence.  1 shall  not  stop  to  enquire  into  the  pre- 
cise truth  of  this  proposition.  It  certainly  approximates  the  truth.  Where 
competition  is  intense,  men  will. labor  for  a bare  subsistence,  and  less  than  a 
competent  subsistence.  The  employer  of  free  laborers  obtains  their  services 
during  the  time  of  their  health  and  vigor,  without  the  charge  of  rearing  them 
from  infancy,  or  supporting  them  in  sickness  or  old  age.  This  charge  is 
imposed  on  the  employer  of  Slave  labor,  who,  therefore,  pays  higher  wages, 
and  cuts  off  the  principal  source  of  misery — the  wants  and  sufferings  of 
infancy,  sickness,  and  old  age.  Laborers  too  will  be  less  skilful,  and  perform 
less  work — enhancing  the  p^ice  of  that  sort  of  labor.  The  poor  laws  of  En- 
gland are  an  attempt — but  an  awkward  and  empiracle  attempt — to  supply  the 
place  of  that  which  we  should  suppose  the  feelings  of  every  human  heart 
would  declare  to  be  a natural  obligation — that  he  who  has  received  the  bene- 
fit of  the  laborer’s  services  during  his  health  and  vigor,  should  maintain  him 
when  he  becomes  unable  to  provide  for  his  own  support.  They  answer  their 
purpose,  however,  very  imperfectly,  and  are  unjustly,  and  unequally  imposed. 
There  is  no  attempt  to  apportion  the  burden  according  to  the  benefit  received — 
and  perhaps  there  could  be  none.  This  is  one  of  the  evils  of  their  condition. 

In  periods  of  commercial  revulsion  and  distress,  like  the  present,  the  dis- 
tress, in  countries  of  free  labor,  falls  principally  on  the  laborers.  In  those  of 
Slave  labor,  it  falls  almost  exclusively  on  the  employer.  In  the  former,  when 
a business  becomes  unprofitable,  the  employer  dismisses  his  laborers  or  low- 
ers their  wages.  But  with  us,  it  is  the  very  period  at  which  we  are  least  able 
to  dismiss  our  laborers  ; and  if  we  would  not  suffer  a further  loss,  we  cannot 
reduce  their  wages.  To  receive  the  benefit  of  the  services  of  which  they 
are  capable,  we  must  provide  for  maintaining  their  health  and  vigor.  In 
point  of  fact,  we  know  that  this  is  accounted  among  the  necessary  expenses 
of  management.  If  the  income  of  every  planter  of  the  Southern  States, 
were  permanently  reduced  one  half,  or  even  much  more  than  that,  it  would 
not  take  one  jot  from  the  support  and  comforts  of  the  Slaves.  And  this  can 
never  be  mateiially  altered,  until  they  shall  become  so  unprofitable  that  Sla- 
very  must  be  of  necessity  abandoned.  It  is  probable  that  the  accumulation 
of  individual  wealth  will  never  be  carried  to  quite  so  great  an  extent  in  a 
Slave-Molding  country,  as  in  one  of  free  labor;  but  a consequence  will  be, 
that  there  will  be  less  inequality  and  less  suffering. 

Servitude  is  the  condition  of  civilization.  It  was  decreed,  when  the  com- 
mand  was  given,  “ be  fruitful,  and  multiply  and  replenish  the  earth,  and  sub- 
due it,”  and  when  it  was  added,  “in  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shah  thou  cat 


34G 


AGRICULTURAL 


bread.”  And  what  human  being  shall  arrogate  to  himself  the.  authority  to 

pronounce  that  our  form  of  it  is  worse  in  itself,  or  more  displeasing  to  God 

than  that  which  exists  elsewhere  ? Shall  it  be  said  that  the  servitude  of  other 
countries  grows  out  of  the  • exigency  of  their  circumstances,  and  there.'ore 
society  is  not  responsible  for  it?  But  if  we  know  that  in  the  progress  of 

things  it  is  to  come,  would  it  not  seem  the  part  of  wisdom  and  foresight,  to 

make  provision  for  it,  and  thereby,  if  we  can,  .mitigate  the  severity  of  its  evils  ? 
But  the  fact  is  not  so.  Let  any  one  who  doubts,  read  the  book  to  which  I 
have  several  times  referred,  and  he  may  be  satisfied  that  it  was  forced  upon 
us  by  the  ’extremest  exigency  of  circumstances,  in  a struggle  for  very  exist- 
ence. Without  it,  it  is  doubtful  whether  a white  man  would  he  now  existing 
on  this  continent — certain,  that  if  there  were,  they  would  he  in  a state  of  the 
utmost  destitution,  weakness  and  misery.  It  was  forced  on  us  by  necessity, 
and  further  fastened  upon  us,  by  the  superior  authority  of  the  mother  country. 

I,  for  one,  neither  deprecate  nor  resent  the  gift.  Nor  did  we  institute  Slavery. 
The  Africans  brought  to  us  had  been,  speaking  in  the  general,  slaves  in  their 
own  country,  and  only  underwent  a change  of  masters.  In  the  countries  of 
Europe,  and  the  Slates  of  our  Confederacy,  in  which  Slavery  has  ceased  to 
exist,  it  was  abolished  by  positive  legislation.  If  the  order  of  nature  has  been 
departed  from,  and  a forced  and  artificial  state  of  things  introduced,  it  has 
been,  as  the  experience  of  all  the  world  declares,  by  them  and  not  by  us. 

That  there  are  great  evils  in  a society  where  Slavery  exists,  and  that  the 
institution  is  liable  to  great  abuse,  I have  already  said.  To  say  otherwise, 
would  be  to  say  that  they  were  not  human.  But  the  whole  of  human  life  is  a 
system  of  evils  and  compensations.  We  have  no  reason  to  believe  that  the 
compensations  with  us  are  fewer,  or  smaller  in  proportion  to  the  evils,  than 
those  of  any  other  condition  of  society.  Tell  me  of  an  evil  or  abuse  ; of  an 
instance  of  cruelty,  oppression,  licentiousness,  crime  or  suffering,  and  I will 
point  out,  and  often  in  five  fold  degree,  an  equivalent  evil  or  abuse  in  countries 
where  Slavery  does  not  exist? 

Let  us  examine  without  blenching,  the  actual  and  alleged  evils  of  Slavery, 
and  the  array  of  horrors  which  many  suppose  to  be  its  universal  concomi- 
tants. It  is  said  that  the  Slave  is  out  of  the  protection  of  the  law  ; that  if 
the  law  purports  to  protect  him  in  life  and  limb,  it  is  but  imperfectly  execut- 
ed ; that  he  is  still  subject  to  excessive  labor,  degrading  blows,  or  any  other 
sort  of  torture,  which  a master  pampered  and  brutalized  by  the  exercise  of 
arbitrary  power,  may  think  proper  to  inflict ; he  is  cut  off  from  the  opportu- 
nity of  intellectual,  moral  or  religious  improvement,  and  even  positive  enact- 
ments are  directed  against  his  acquiring  the  rudiments  of  knowledge;  he  is 
cut  oft*  forever  from  the  hope  of  raising  nis  condition  in  socictj,  \\hate\ci 
may  be  his  meiit,  talents,  or  virtues,  and  therefoie  depiivcd  of  the  stiongts. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


incentive  to  useful  and  praiseworthy  exertion ; his  physical  degradation  be- 
gets  a corresponding  moral  degradation ; he  is  without  moral  principle,  and 
addic;ed  to  the  lowest  vices,  particularly  theft  and  falsehood  ; if  marriage  be 
not  disallowed,  it  is  little  better  than  a state  of  concubinage,  from  which  results 
general  licentiousness,  and  the  want  of  chastity  among  females — this  indeed 
is  not  protected  by  law,  but  is  subject  to  the  outrages  of  brutal  lust;  both 
sexes  are  liable  to  have  their  dearest  affections  violated,  to  be  sold  like  brutes; 
husbands  to  be  torn  from  wives,  children  trom  parents; — this  is  the  picture 
commonly  presented  by  the  denouncers  of  slavery. 

It  is  a somewhat  singular  fact,  that  when  there  existed  in  our  State  no  law 
for  punishing  the  murder  of  a slave,  other  than  a pecuniary  fine,  there  were, 
I will  venture  to  say,  at  least  ten  murders  of  freemen,  for  one  murder  of  a 
Slave.  Yet  it  is  supposed  they  are  less  protected,  or  less  secure  than  their 
masters.  Why  they  are  protected  by  their  very  situation  in  society,  and 
therefore  less  need  the  protection  of  law.  With  any  other  person  than  their 
master,  it  is  hardly  possible  for  them  to  come  in  such  sort  of  collision  as  usu- 
ally gives  rise  to  furious  and  revengeful  passions;  they  offer  no  temptation  to 
the  murderer  for  gain  ; against  the  master  himself,  they  have  the  security  of 
his  own  interest,  and  by  his  superintendence  and  authority,  they  are  protected 
from  the  revengeful  passions  of  each  other.  I am  by  no  means  sure  that  the 
cause  of  humanity  has  been  served  by  the  change  in  jurisprudence,  which  has 
placed  their  murder  on  the  same  footing  with  that  of  a freeman.  The  change 
was  made  in  the  subserviency  to  the  opinions  and  clamor  of  others,  who 
were  utterly  incompetent  to  form  an  opinion  on  the  subject ; and  a wise  act 
is  seldom  the  result  of  legislation  in  this  spirit.  From  the  fact  which  I have 
stated,  it  is  plain  that  they  less  need  protection.  Juries  are,  therefore,  less 
willing  to  convict,  and  it  may  sometimes  happen  that  the  guilty  will  escape 
all  punishment.  Security  is  one  of  the  compensations  of  their  humble  posi. 
tion.  Wc  challenge  the  comparison,  that  with  us  there  have  been  fewer  mur- 
ders of  Slaves,  than  of  parents,  children,  apprentices,  and  other  murders, 
cruel  and  unnatural,  in  society  where  slavery  does  not  exist. 

But  short  of  life  or  limb,  various  cruelties  may  be  practised  as  the  passions 
of  the  master  may  dictate.  To  this  the  same  reply  has  been  often  given — 
that  they  arc  secured  by  the  master’s  interest.  If  the  state  of  slavery  is  to 
exist  at  all,  the  master  must  have,  and  ought  to  have,  such  power  of  punish- 
ment as  will  compel  them  to  perform  the  duties  of  their  station.  And  is  not 
this  for  their  advantage  as  well  as  his?  No  human  being  can  be  contented, 
who  does  not  perform  the  duties  of  his  station.  Has  the  master  any  temp- 
tation to  go  beyond  this?  Ef  he  inflicts  on  him  such  punishment  as  will  per- 
manent!y  impair  his  strength,  he  inflicts  a loss  upon  himself,  and  so  if  he 
requires  of  him  excessive  labor.  Compare  the  labor  required  of  i he  Slave, 
with  those  of  the  free  agricultural,  or  manufacturing  laborer  in  Europe,  or 


348 


AGRICULTURAL 


even  in  the  more  thickly  peopled  portions  of  the  non-Slave-Holding  States  of 
our  Confederacy — though  these  last  are  no  fair  subjects  of  comparison — they 
enjoying,  as  I have  said,  in  a great  degree,  the  advantages  of  Slavery  along 
with  those  of  an  early  and  simple  state  of  society.  Read  the  English  Par- 
liamentary reports,  on  the  condition  of  the  manufacturing  operatives,  and  the 
children  employed  in  factories.  And  such  is  the  impotence  of  man  to  reme- 
dy the  evils  which  the  condition  of  his  existence  has  imposed  on  him,  that  it 
is  much  to  be  dcubted  whether  the  attempts  by  legislation  to  improve  their 
situation,  will  not  aggravate  its  evils.  They  resort  to  this  excessive 
labor  as  a choice  of  evils.  If  so,  the  amount  of  their  compensation 
will  be  lessened  also  with  the  diminished  labor;  for  this  is  a matter  which 
legislation  cannot  regulate.  Is  it  the  part  of  benevolence  then  to  cut  them  off 
even  from  this  miserable  liberty  of  choice?  Yet  would  these  evils  exist  in 
the  same  degree,  if  the  laborers  were  the  property  of  the  master — having  a 
direct  interest  in  preserving  their  lives,  their  health  and  strength  ? Who  but 
a drivelling  fanatic,  has  thought  of  the  necessity  of  protecting  domestic  ani- 
mals for  the  cruelty  of  their  owners?  And  yet  are  not  great  and  wanton 
cruelties  practised  on  these  animals?  Compare  the  whole  of  the  cruelties 
inflicted  on  Slaves  throughout  our  Southern  country,  with  those  elsewhere, 
inflicted  by  ignorant  and  depraved  portions  of  the  community',  on  those 
whom  the  relations  of  society  put  into  their  power — of  brutal  husbands  on 
their  wives ; of  brutal  parents — subdued  against  the  strongest  instincts  of 
nature  to  that  brutality  by  the  extremity  of  their  misery — on  their  children  ; 
of  brutal  masters  on  apprentices.  And  if  it  should  be  asked,  are  not  similar 
cruelties  inflicted,  and  miseries  endured  in  your  societies?  I answer  in  no 
comparable  degree  The  class  in  question  are  placed  under  the  control  of 
others,  who  are  interested  to  restrain  their  excesses  of  cruelty  or  rage. 
Wives  are  protected  from  their  husbands,  and  children  from  their  parents. 
And  this  is  no  inconsiderable  compensation  of  the  evils  of  our  system  ; and 
would  so  appear,  if  we  could  form  any  conception  of  the  immense  amount  of 
misery  which  is  elsewhere  thus  inflicted.  The  other  class  of  society',  more 
elevated  in  their  position,  are  also  (speaking  of  course  in  the  general)  mere 
elevated  in  character,  and  more  responsible  to  public  opinion. 

But  besides  the  interest  of  their  master,  there  is  another  security  against 
cruelty.  The  relation  of  Master  and  Slave,  when  there  is  no  mischievous 
interference  between  thenij  is  as  the  experience  of  all  the  world  declares, 
naturally  one  of  kindness.  As  to  the  fact,  we  should  be  held  interested  wit- 
nesses, but  we  appeal  to  universal  nature.  Is  it  not  natural  that  a man  should 
be  attached  to  that  which  is  his  own , and  which  has  contributed  to  his 
convenience,  his  enjoyment,  or  his  vanity?  This  is  felt  even  towards  ani- 
mals and  inanimate  objects.  How  much  more  towards  a being  of  superior 
intelligence  and  usefulness,  who  can  appreciate  our  feelings  towards  him,  and 


PROCEEDINGS. 


849 


return  the  in  ? Is  it  not  natural  that  we  should  be  interested  in  that  which  is 
dependent  on  us  for  protection  and  support  ? Do  not  men  every  where  con- 
tract kind  feelings  towards  their  dependants  ? Is  it  not  natural  that  men  should 
be  more  attached  to  those  whom  they  have  long  known— whom,  perhaps, 
they  have  reared  or  been  associated  with  from  infancy — than  to  one  with 
whom  their  connexion  has  been  casual  and  temporary  ? What  is  there  in  our 
atmospheie  or  institutions,  to  produce  a perversion  of  the  general  feelings 
of  nature?  To  be  sure,  in  this  as  this  as  in  all  other  relations,  there  is  fre- 
quent cause  of  offence  or  excitement— on  ono  side,  for  some  omission  of 
duty,  on  the  other,  on  account  of  reproof  or  punishment  inflicted.  But  this 
is  common  to  the  relation  of  parent  and  child  ; and  I will  venture  to  say 
that  if  punishment  be  justly  inflicted— -and  there  is  no  temptation  to  inflict  it 
unjustly — “it  is  as  little  likely  to  occasion  permanent  estrangement  or  resent- 
ment as  in  that  case.  Slaves  are  perpetual  children.  It  is  not  the  common 
nature  of  man,  unless  it  be  depraved  by  its  own  misery,  to  delight  in  witness' 
ing  pain.  It  is  more  grateful  to  behold  contented  anti  cheerful  beings,  than 
sullen  and  wretched  ones.  That  men  are  sometimes  wayward,  depraved  and 
brutal,  we  know.  That  atrocious  and  brutal  cruelties  have  been  perpetrated 
on  Slaves,  and  on  those  who  were  not  Slaves,  by  such  wretches,  we  also 
know.  But  that  the  institution  of  Slavery  has  a natural  tendency  to  form 
such  a character,  that  such  crimes  are  more  common,  or  more  aggravated 
than  in  other  states  of  society,  or  produce  among  us  less  surprise  and  horror, 
we  utterly  deny  and  challenge  the  comparison.  Indeed  I have  little  hesita- 
tion in  saying,  that  if  full  evidence  could  be  obtained,  the  comparison  would 
result  in  our  favor,  and  that  the  tendency  of  Slavery  is  rather  to  humanize 
than  to  brutalize. 

The  accounts  of  travellers  in  oriental  countries,  give  a very  favorable 
representation  of  the  kindly  relations  which  exist  between'  the  Master  and 
Slave  ; the  latter  being  often  the  friend,  and  sometimes  the  heir  of  the  former. 
Generally,  however,  especially  if  they  be  English  travellers— if  they  say 
any  thing  which  may  seem  to  give  a favorable  complexion  to  Slavery,  they 
think  it  necessary  to  enter  their  protest,  that  they  shall  not  be  taken  to  give 
any  sanction  to  Slavery  as  it  exists  in  America.  Yvt  human  nature  is  the 
same  in  all  countries.  There  are  very  obvious  reasons  why  in  ibose  coun- 
tries there  should  be  a nearer  approach  to  equality  in  their  manners.  The 
Master  and  Slave  are  often  cognate  races,  and  therefore  tend  more  to  assimi- 
late. There  is  in  fact  less  inequality  in  mind  and  character,  where  the  mas- 
ter is  but  imperfectly  civilized.  Less  labor  is  exacted,  because  the  master 
ha.->  fewer  motives  to  accumulate.  But  is  it  an  injury  to  o human  beintr,  that 
regular,  if  not  excessive  labor  should  be  required  of  him  ? The  premeval 
curse,  with  the  usual  benignity  of  providential  contrivance,  has  been  turned 


550 


AGRICULTURAL 


into  the  solace  of  an  existence  that  would  be  much  more  intolerable  without 
it.  If  they  labor  less,  they  are  much  more  subject  to  the  outrages  of  capri- 
cious passion.  If  it  were  put  to  the  choice  of  any  human  being,  would  he 
prefer  to  be  the  Slave  of  a civilized  man,  or  of  a barbarian  or  semi-barba- 
rian? But  if  the  general  tende:  cy  of  the  institution  in  those  countries  is  to 
create  kindly  relations,  can  it  be  imagined  why  it  should  operate  differenly  in 
this?  It  is  true,  as  suggested  by  President  Dew — with  the  exception  of  ihe 
tics  of  close  consanguinity,  it  forms  one  of  the  msst  intimate  relations  of 
society.  And  it  will  be  more  and  more  so.  the  longer  it  continues  to  exist. 
The  harshest  features  of  Slavery  were  created  by  those  who  were  strangers 
to  Slavery— -who  supposed  that  it  consisted  in  keeping  savages  in  subjection 
by  violence  and  terror.  The  severest  lavv-Ss  to  be  found  on  our  statute  book, 
were  enacted  by  3uch,  and  such  are  still  found  to  be  the  severest  masters' 
As  society  becomes  settled,  and  the  wandering  habits  of  our  countrymen 
altered,  there  will  be  a larger  and  larger  proportion  of  those  who  were 
reared  by  the  owner,  or  derived  to  him  from  his  ancestors,  and  who  therefore 
will  be  more  and  more  intimately  regarded,  as  forming  a portion  of  his 
family. 

It  is  true  that  the  Slave  is  driven  to  labor  by  stripes  ; and  if  the  object  of 
punishment  be  to  produce  obedience  or  reformation,  with  the  least  perma- 
nent injury,  it  is  the.  best  method  of  punishment.  But  is  ft  not  intolerable 
that  a being  formed  in  ihe  image  of  his  Maker,  should  be  degraded  by  blows! 
This  is  one  of  the  perversions  of  mind  and  feeling,  to  which  I s' all  have 
occasion  again  to  refer.  Such  punishment  would  be  degrading  to  a freeman, 
who  bad  the  thoughts  and  aspirations  of  a freeman.  In  general  it  is  not 
degrading  to  a Slave,  nor  is  it  felt  to  bo  so.  The  evil  is  the  bodily  pain. 
Is  it  degrading  to  a child  ? Or  if  in  any  particular  instance  it  would  be  so 
felt,  it  is  sure  not  to  be  inflicted — unless  in  those  rare  cases  which  constitute 
the  startling  and  eccentric  evils,  from  which  no  society  is  exempt,  and  against 
which  no  institutions  of  society  can  provide. 

The  Slave  is  cut  off  from  the  means  of  intellectual,  moral  and  religious 
improvement,  and  in  consequence  his  moral  character  becomes  depraved,  and 
he  addicted  to  degrading  vices.  The  Slave  receives  such  instruction  as  qua!- 
ifies  him  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  particular  station.  The  Creator  did 
not  intend  that  every  individual  human  being  should  be  highly  cultivated,  mor- 
ally  and  intellectually,  for  as  we  have  seen,  he  has  imposed  conditions  upon 
society  which  would  render  this  impossible.  There  must  be  general  medi- 
ocrity, or  the  highest  cultivation  must  exist  along  with  ignorance,  vice  and 
degradation.  But  is  there  in  the  aggregate  of  society,  less  opportunity  for 
intellectual  and  moral  cultivation,  on  account  of  the  existence  of  Slavery  ? 
We  must  estimate  institutions  from  their  aggregate  of  good  or  evil.  I refer 


PROCEEDINGS* 


851 


to  the  veWs  which  I have  before  expressed  to  this  Society.  It  is  by  the  exis- 
tence of  Slavery,  exempting  so  large  a portion  of  our  citizens  from  the 
necessity  of  bodily  labor,  that  we  have  a greater  proportion  than  any  other 
people,  who  have  leisure  for  intellectual  pursuits,  and  the  means  of  attaining 
a liberal  education.  If  we  throw  away  this  opportunity,  wo  shall  be  moral  y 
responsible  for  the  neglect  or  abuse  of  our  advantages,  and  shall  most  unques- 
tionably pay  the  penalty.  But  the  blame  will  iest  oil  ourselves,  and  noton 
the  character  of  our  institutions. 

I add  further,  notwithstanding  that  equality,  seems  to  be  the  passion  of  the 
day,  it,  as  Providence  has  evidently  decreed,  there  can  be  but  a certain  por- 
tion of  intellectual  excellence  in  any  community,  it  is  better  that  it  should  be 
unequally  divided.  It  is  better  that  a part  should  be  fully,  and  highly  culti- 
vated, and  the  rest  utterly  ignorant.  To  constitute  a society,  a variety  of 
offices  must  be  discharged,  from  those  requiring  but  the  lowest  decree  of  intel- 
lectual power,  to  those  requiring  the  very  highest,  and  it  should  seem  that 
the  endowments  ought  to  be  apportioned  according  to  the  exigencies  of  the 
situation.  In  the  course  of  human  affairs,  there  arise  difficulties  which  can 
only  he  comprehended,  or  sui  mounted  by  the  strongest  native  power  of  intel- 
lect, strengthened  by  the  most  assiduous  exercise,  and  enriched  with  the 
most  extended  knowledge-— and  even  these  are  sometimes  found  inadequate 
to  the  exigency.  The  first  want  of  society  is — leaders.  Who  shali  estimate 
the  value  to  Athens,  of  Solon,  Aristides,  Themistocles,  Cymon,  or  Pericles? 
If  society  have  not  leaders  qualified  as  ! have  said,  they  will  have  those  who 
will  lead  them  blindly  to  their  loss  and  ruin.  Men  of  no  great  native  power 
of  intellect,  and  of  imperfect  and  superficial  knowledge,  are  the  most  mis- 
chievous of  all— -none  are  so  busy,  meddling,  confident,  presumptuous  and 
intolerant.  The  whole  of  society  receives  the  benefit  of  the  exertions  of  a 
mind  of  extraordinary  endowments.  Of  all  communities;  one  of  the  least 
desirable,  would  he  that  in  which  imperfect,  superficial,  half-education  should 
he  universal.  The  first  care  of  a State  which  regard  its  own  safety,  ptos 
perity,  and  honor,  should  he,  that  when  minds  of  extraordinary  power  appear, 
to  whatever  department  of  knowledge,  art  or  science,  their  exertions  may  he 
directed,  the  means  should  he  provided  of  their  moat  consummate  cultiva- 
tion. Next  to  this,  that  education  should  be  as  widely  extended  as  pos-ible. 

Odium  has  been  cast  upon  our  legislation,  on  account  of  its  forbidding  the 
elements  of  education  to  be  communicated  to  Slaves.  But  in  truth  what 
injury  is  done  to  them  by  this  ? He  who  works  during  the  day  with  his  hands 
does  not  read  in  intervals  of  leisure  for  his  amusement,  or  the  improvement 
of  his  mind— or  the  exceptions  are  so  very  rare,  as  scarcely  to  need  their 
being  providing  for.  Of  the  many  Slaves  whom  I have  known  capable  of 
reading,  I have  never  known  one  to  read  any  thing  but  the  Bible,  and  this 


352 


AGRICULTURAL 


task  they  impose  on  themselves  as  matter  of  duly.  Of  all  methods  of  reiig- 
ious  instruction,  however,  this,  of  reading  for  themselves  would  be  the  most 
inefficient — ‘there  comprehension  is  delective,  and  the  employment  is  to  them 
an  unusual  and  laborious  one.  There  are  but  very  few  who  do  not  enjov  other 
means,  more  effectual  for  religious  instruction.  There  is  no  place  of  wor- 
ship opened  for  the  white  phopulation,  from  which  they  are  excluded.  I 
believe  it  a mistake,  to  say  that  the  instructions  there  given  arc  not  adapted 
to  their  comprehension,  or  calculated  to  improve  them.  If  they  aj-e  given 
as  they  ought  to  be — practically,  and  without  pretension,  and  are  such  as 
are  generally  intelligible  to  the  free  part  of  the  audience,  comprehending 
all  grades  of  intellectual  capacity,  they  will  not  be  unintelligible  to  Slaves. 
I doubt  whether  this  bo  not  better  than  instruction,  addressed  specially  to 
themselves— ‘which  they  might  look  upon  as  a device  of  the  master’s,  to 
make  them  more  obedient  and  profitable  to  himself.  Their  minds,  generally} 
shew  a strong  religious  tendency,  and  they  are  fond  of  assuming  the  office 
of  religious  instructors  to  each  other;  and  perhaps  their  religious  notions 
are  not  much  more  extravagant  than  those  of  a large  portion  of  the  free 
population  of  our  country.  I am  not  sure  that  there  is  a much  smaller  pro* 
portion  of  them,  than  of  the  free  population,  who  make  some  sort  of  religious 
profession.  It  is  certainly  the  master’s  interest  that  they  should  have  propel' 
religious  sentiments,  and  if  he  fails  in  his  duty  towards  them,  we  may  be 
sure  that  the  consequences  will  be  visited  not  upon  them,  but  upon  him. 

If  there  were  any  chance  of  their  elevating  their  rank  and  condition  in 
society,  it  might  be  matter  of  hardship,  that  they  should  he  debarred  those 
rudiments  of  knowlede  which  open  the  way  to  further  attainments.  But  this 
they  know  cannot  be,  and  that  further  attainments  would  bo  useless  to  therm 
Of  the  evil  of  this,  I shall  speak  hereafter.  A knowledge  of  reading,  writ- 
in0-,  and  the  elements  of  arithmetic,  is  convenient  and  important  to  the  free 
laborer,  vVho  is  the  transactor  of  his  own  affairs,  and  the  guardian  ol  his 
own  interests— ‘but  of  what  use  would  they  be  to  the  slave  f These  alone  do 
not  elevate  the  mind  or  character,  if  such  elevation  were  desirable1 

If  we  estimate  their  morals  according  to  that  which  should  be  the  stan- 
dard  of  a free  man’s  morality,  than  I grant  they  are  degraded  in  morals— = 
though  by  no  means  to  the  extent  which  those  who  are  unacquainted  with  the 
institution  seem  to  suppose.  We  justly  supp  >se,  that  the  Creator  will  require 
of  man,  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  station  in  which  his  Providence 
has  placed  him,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  virtues  which  are  adapted  to  their 
performance ; that  he  will  make  allowances  for  all  the  imperfections  of 
knowledge,  and  the  absence  of  the  usual  helps  and  motives  which  lead  to 
self  correction  and  improvement.  The  degradltion  of  morals  relates  prin- 
cipally to  loose  notions  of  honesty,  leading  to  petty  thefts}  to  falsehood  ana 


PROCEEDINGS. 


353 


to  licentious  intercourse  between  the  sexes.  Though  with  respect  even  to  these, 
i protest  against  the  opinion,  which  seems  to  be  elsewhere  entertained,  that 
they  are  universal,  or  that  slaves,  in  respect  to  them,  might  not  well  bear  a 
comparison  with  the  lowest  laborious  class  of  other  countries.  But  certainly 
there  is  much  dishonesty  leading  to  petty  thefts.  It  leads,  however,  to  nothing 
else.  They  have  no  contracts  or  dealings  which  might  be  a temptation  to 
fraud,  nor  do  I know  that  their  characters  have  any  tendency  that  way. 
They  are  restrained  by  the  constant,  vigilant  and  interested  superintendence 
which  is  exercised  over  them,  from  the  commission  of  offences  of  greater 
magnitude-—  even  if  they  were  dispised  to  thorn — which  I am  satisfied  they 
are  not.  Nothing  is  so  rirely  heard  of,  as  an  atrocious  crime  committed  by 
a slave ; especially  since  they  have  worn  off  the  savage  character  which 
their  progenitors  brought  with  them  from  Africa.  Their  offences  are  con- 
lined  to  petty  depreciations,  principally  for  the  gratification  of  their  appe- 
tites, and  these  for  reasons  already  given,  are  chiefly  confined  to  the  property 
of  their  owner,  which  is  m ist  exposed  to  them.  They  could  make  no  use 
of  a considerable  booty,  if  they  should  obtain  it.  It  is  plain  that  this  is  a less 
evil  to  society  in  its  consequences  and  example,  than  if  committed  by  a 
freeman,  who  is  master 'of  his  own  time  and  actions.  With  reference  to 
society  then,  the  offence  is  less  in  itself — and  may  we  not  hope  that  it  is  less 
in  the  sight  of  God.  A slave  has  no  hope  that  by  a course  of  integrity,  he  can 

materially  elevate  his  condition  in  society,  nor  can  his  offence  materially 
depress  it,  or  affect  his  means  of  support,  or  that  of  his  family.  Compared 
to  the  freeman,  he  has  no  character  to  establish  or  to  lose.  lie  has  not  been 
exercised  to  self-government,  and  being  without  intellectual  resources,  can 
less  r.  sist  the  solicitations  of  appetite.  Theft  in  a freeman  is  a crime  ; in 
a slave,  it  is  a vice.  ! recollect  to  have  heard  it  said,  in  reference  to  some 
question  of  a slave’s  theft  which  was  agitated  in  a Court,  ‘'Courts  of  Justice 
have  no  more  to  do  with  a slave’s  stealing,  than  with  his  lying — that  is  a 
matter  for  the  domes. ic  forum.”  It  was  truly  said — the  theft  of  a slave  is 
no  offence  against  society.  Compare  all  the  evils  resulting  from  this,  with 
the  enormous  amount  of  vice,  crime  and  depravity,  which  in  an  European 
or  one  of  our  Northern  cities,  disgusts  the  moral  feelings,  and  render  life  and 
property  insecure.  So  with  respect  to  his  falsehood.  I have  never  heard 
or  observed,  that  slaves  have  any  peculiar  proclivity  to  falsehood,  unless  it  be 
in  denying  or  concealing  their  own  offences,  or  those  of  their  fellows.  1 
have  never  heard  of  falsehood  told  by  a slave  for  a malicious  purpose.  Lies 
of  vanity  are  sometimes  told,  as  among  the  weak  and  ignorant  of  other  con- 
dit’ons.  Falsehood  is  not  attributed  to  an  individual  charged  with  an  offence 
before  a Court  of  Justice,  who  pleads  not  guilty — and  certainly  the  strong 
temptation  to  escape  punishment,  in  the  highest  degree  extenuates,  if  it  does 
23 


AGRICULTURAL 


not  excuse,  falsehood  told  by  a slave.  If  the  object  be  to  screen  a fellow 
slave,  the  act  bears  some  semblance  of  fidelity,  and  perhaps  truth  could  not 
be  told  without  breach  of  confidence.  1 know  not  how  to  characterize  the 
falsehood  of  a slave. 

It  has  often  been  said  by  the  denouncers  of  Slavery,  that  marriage  does 
not  exist  among  slaves.  It  is  difficult  to  understand  this,  unless  wilful  false- 
hood were  intended.  We  know  that  marriages  are  contracted  ; may  be,  and 
often  are,  solemnized  with  the  forma  usual  among  other  classes  of  society, 
and  often  faithfully  adhered  to  during  life.  The  law  has  not  provided  for 
making  those  marriages  indissoluble,  nor  could  it  do  so.  If  a man  abandons 
his  wife,  being  without  property,  and  being  both  property  themselves,  he  can- 
not be  required  to  maintain  tier.  If  be  abandons  his  wife,  and  lives  in  a state 
of  concubinage  with  another,  the  law  cannot  punish  him  for  bigamy.  ]t  may 
perhaps  be  meant  that  the  chastity  of  wives  is  not  protected  by  law  from  the 
outrages  of  violence.  I answer,  as  with  respect  to  their  lives,  that  they  are 
protected  by  manners,  and  their  position.  Who  ever  heard  of  such  out- 
rages being  offered?  At  least  as  seldom,  I will  venture  to  say,  as  in  other 
communities  of  different  foims  of  polity.  Or.e  reason  doubtless  may  be,  that 
often  there  is  no  disposition  to  resist.  Another  reason  may  be,  that  there  is 
little  temptation  to  such  violence-  as  there  is  so  large  a proportion  of  this 
class  of  females  who  set  little  value  on  chastity,  and  afford  easy  gratification 
to  the  hot  passions  of  men.  It  might  be  supposed,  from  the  representations  of 
some  writers,  that  a slave-holding  country  were  one  wide  stew  for  the  indul 
gence  of  unbridled  fust.  Particular  instances  of  intemperate  and  shameless 
debauchery  are  related,  which  may  perhaps  be  true,  and  it  is  left  to  fee  infer- 
red that  this  is  the  universal  state  of  manners.  Brutes  and  shameless 
debauchees  there  are  in  every  country ; we  know  that  if  such  things  are 
related  as  general  or  characteristic,  the  representation  is  false.  Who  would 
argue  from  the  existence  of  a Col.  Charters  in  England,  or  of  some  individ- 
uals, who  might,  perhaps,  be  named  in  other  portions  ( f this  country,  of  the 
horrid  dissoluteness  of  manners  occasioned  by  the  want  of  the  institution  of 
Slavery.  Yet  the  argument  might  be  urged  quite  as  fairly,  and  really  it 
seems  to  me  with  a little  more  justice— for  there  such  depravity  is  attended 
with  much  more  pernicious  consequences.  Yet  let  us  not  deny  nor  exten- 
uate the  truth.  It  is  true  that  in  tin's  rcopec!  the  morals  of  this  class  are 
very  loose,  (by  no  means  so  universally  so  as  is  often  supposed,)  and  that 
the  passions  of  men  of  the  superior  caste,  tempt  and  find  gratification  in  the 
easy  chastity  of  the  females.  This  Is  evil,  and  to  be  remedied,  if  we  can  do 
so,  without  the  introduction  of  greater  evil.  Bat  evil  is  incident  to  every 
condition  of  society,  and  as  I have  said,  we  l ave  only  to  consider  in  which 
institution  it  most  predominates. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


355 


Compare  these  prostitutes  of  ourcountry,  (if  it  is  not  injustice  to  call  them 
so.)  and  their  condition  with  those  of  other  countries — the  seventy  thousand 
prostitutes  of  London,  or  of  Paris,  or  the  ten  thousand  of  New  York,  or 
our  other  Northern  cities.  Take  the  picture  given  of  the  first  from  the 
auilior  whom  I have  before  quoted.  '‘The  laws  and  customs  of  England, 
Conspire  to  sink  this  class  of  English  women  into  a state  of  vice  and  misery, 
below  that  which  necessarily  belongs  to  their  condition.  Hence,  their  ex- 
treme degradation,  their  troopers’  oaths,  their  love  of  gin,  their  desperate 
recklessness,  and  the  shortness  of  their  miserable  lives.” 

“English  women  of  this  class,  or  rather  girls,  for  few  of  them  live  to’be 
women,  die  like  sheep  with  the  rot;  so  fast  that  soon  there  would  be  none 
left,  if  a fresh  supply  were  not  obtained  equal  to  the  number  of  deaths.  But 
a fresh  supply  is  always  obtained  without  the  least  trouble  : seduction  easily 
keeps  pace  with  prostitution  or  mortality.  Those  that  dieare,.like  factory  efeif- 
dren  that  die,  instantly  succeeded  by  new  competitors  for  misery  and  death.” 
There  is  no  hour  of  a summer’s  or  a winter’s  night,  in  which  there  may  not 
be  found  in  the  streets  a ghastly  wretch,  expiring  under  the  double  tortures 
of  disease  and  famine.  Though  less  aggravated  in  its  features,  the  picture 
of  prostitution  in  New  York  or  Philadelphia  would  be  of  like  character. 

In  such  communities,  the  unmarried  women  who  becomes  a mother,  is  an 
outcast  from  society — and  though  sentimentalists  lament  the  hardship  of  the 
case,  it  is  justly  and  necessarily  so.  She  is  cut  off  from  the  hope  of  useful 
and  profitable  employment,  and  driven  by  necessity  to  further  vice.  Her 
misery,  and  the  hopelessness  of  retrieving,  render  her  desperate,  until  she- 
sinks  into  every  depth  of  depravity,  and  is  prepared  for  every  crime  that  can 
contaminate  and  infest  society.  She  has  given  birth  to  a human  being,  who, 
if  it  be  so  unfortunate  as  to  survive  its  miserable  infancy,  is  commonly  educa 
ted  to  a like  course  of  vice,  depravity  and  crime. 

Compare  with  this  the  female  slave  under  similar  circumstances.  She  is- 
not  a less  useful  member  of  soeiety  than  before.  If  shame  be  attached  to. 
her  conduct,  it  is  such  shame  as  would  be  elsewhere  felt  for  a venial  impro- 
priety. She  has  not  impaired  her  means  of  support,  nor  materially  impaur- 
ed  her  character,  or  lowered  her  station  in  society ; she  has  done  no  great 
injury  to  herself,  or  any  other  human  being.  Her  offspring  is  not  a burden 
but  an  acquisition  to  her  owner  ; his  support  is  provided  for,and:  he  is  brought 
up  to  usefulness  ; if  the  fruit  of  intercourse  with  a freeman,  his  condition  is 
perhaps,  raised  somewhat  above  that  of  his  mother.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, with  imperfect  knowledge,  tempted  by  the  strongest  of  human  pas- 
sions—unrestrained  by  the  motives  which  operate  to  restrain,  but  are  so  often 
found  insufficient  to  restrain  the  conduct  of  females  elsewhere,  can  it  be  mat- 
ter  of  surprise  that  she  should  so  often  yield  to  the  temptation?  Is  not  the; 


356 


AGRICULTURAL 


evil  less  in  itself,  and  in  reference  to  society — ranch  less  in  the  sight  of  God 
and  man.  As  was  said  of  theft — the  want  of  chastity,  which  among  females 
of  other  countries,  is  sometimes  vice,  sometimes  crimes — among  the  free  of 
our  own,  much  more  aggravated  ; among  slaves,  hardly  deserves  a harsher 
turn  than  that  of  weakness.  I have  heard  of  complaint  made  by  a free 
prostitute,  of  the  greater  countenance  and  indulgence  shewn  by  scciely  towards 
colored  persons  of  her  profession,  (always  regarded  as  of  an  inferior  and 
servile  class,  though  individually  fre'e.)  than  to  those  of  her  own  complexion. 
The  former  readily  obtain  employment  : are  even  admitted  into  lamilies, 
-and  treated  with  some  degree  of  kindness  and  familiarity,  while  any  ap- 
proach to  intercourse  with  the  latter  is  shunned  as  a contamination.  The 
distinction  is  habitually  made,  and  is  founded  on  the  unerring  instinct  of 
nature.  The  colored  prostitute  is,  in  fact,  a far  less  contaminated  and  deprav- 
ed being.  Still  many,  in  spite  of  temptation,  do  preserve  a perfectly  virtu- 
ous conduct,  and  I imagine  it  hardly  ever  entered  into  the  mind  of  one  of 
these,  that  she  was  likely  to  be  forced  from  it  by  authority  or  violence. 

It.  may  be  asked,  if  we  have  no  prostitutes  from  the  free  class  of  society, 
among  ourselves.  I answer  in  no  assignable  proportion.  With  general 
truth,  it  might  be  said,  that  there  are  none.  When  such  a case  occurs,  it  is 
among  the  rare  evils  of  society.  And  apait  from  other  and  better  reasons, 
■which  we  believe  to  exist,  it  is  plain  that  it  must  be  so,  from  the  comparative 
absence  of  temptation.  Our  brothels,  comparatively  very  few — and  these 
should  not  be  permitted  to  exist  at  all — are  filled,  for  the  most  part,  by  impor- 
tation from  the  cities  of  our  confederate  States,  where  Slavery  does  not  exist. 
In  return  for  the  benefits  which  they  receive  from  our  Slavery,  along  with 
tariffs,  libels,  opinions  moral,  religious  or  political — they  furnish  us  also  w ith 
a supply  of  thieves  and  prostitutes.  Never,  but  in  a single  instance,  have  I 
heard  of  an  imputation  on  the  general  purity  of  manners,  among  the  free 
females  of  the  slave- holding  States.  Such  an  imputation,  however,  and  made 
in  coarse  terms,  we  have  never  heard  here — here  where  divorce  was  never 
known — where  no  court  was  ever  polluted  by  an  action  for  criminal  conver- 
sation with  a wife — where  it  is  related  rather  as  matter  of  tradation,  not 
unmingled  with  wonder,  that  a Carolinian  woman  of  education  and  family, 
proved  false  to  her  conjugal  faith — an  imputation  deserving  only  of  such 
reply  as  self-respect  would  forbid  us  to  give,  if  respect  for  the  author  of  it 
did  not.  And  can  it  be  doubted,  that  this  purity  is  caused  by,  and  is  a com- 
pensation for  the  evils  resulting  from  the  existence  of  an  enslaved  class  of 
more  relaxed  morals  ? 

It  is  mostly  the  warm  passions  of  youth,  which  give  rise  to  licentious  inter- 
course. But  I do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  the  intercourse  which  takes  place 
with  enslaved  females,  is  less  depraving  in  its  effects,  than  when  it  is  carried 


PROCEEDINGS. 


357 


on  with  fermlesof  their  own  caste.  In  the  first  place,  as  like  attracts  like, 
that  which  is  unlike  repels  ; and  though  the  strength  of  passion  be  sufficient 
to  overcome  the  repulsion,  soli  the  attraction  is  less.  He  feels  that  he  is 
connecting  himself  with  one  of  an  inferior  and  servile  caste,  and  that  there 
is  something  of  degradation  in  the  act.  The  intercourse  is  generally  casual 
— he  does  not  make  her  habitually  an  associate,  and  is  less  likely  to.  receive 
any  taint  from  her  habits  and  manners;  He  is  less  liable  to  those  extraor- 
dinary fascinations,  with  which  worthless  women  sometimes  entangle  their 
victims,  to  the  utler  destruction  of  all  principle,  worth  and  vigor  of  character. 
The  female  of  his  own  race  offers  greater  allurements.  The  haunts  of  vice 
often  present  a show  of  elegance,  and  various  luxury  tempts  the  senses. — 
They  are  made  an  habitual  resort,  and  their  inmates  associate,  till  the  gen- 
eral character  receives  a taint  from  the  corrupted  atmosphere.  Not  only 
the  practice  is  licentious,  but  the  understanding  is  sophisticated  ; the  moral 
feelings  are  bewildered,  and  the  boundaries  of  virtue  and  vice  confused. — 
Where  such  licentiousness  very  extensively  prevails,  society  is  rotten  to  the 
heart. 

But  is  it  a small  compensation  for  the  evils  attending  the  relation  of  the 
sexes  among  the  enslaved  class,  that  they  have  universally  the  opportunity 
of  indulging  the  first  instinct  of  nature,  by  forming  matrimonial  connexions  ? 
What  painful  restraint — what  constant  effort  to  struggle  against  the  strongest 
impulses,  are  habitually  practiced  elsewhere,  and  by  other  classes ! And  they 
must  be  practiced,  unless  greater  evils  would  be  encountered.  On  the  one 
side,  all  the  evils  of  vice,  with  the  miseries  to  which  it  leads — on  the  other 
a marriage  cursed  and  made  hateful  by  want — the  sufferings  of  children, 
and  agonizing  apprehensions  concerning  their  future  fate.  Is  it  a small 
good,  that  the  slave  is  free  from  all  this?  He  knows  that  his  own  subsistence 
is  secure,  and  that  his  children  will  be  in  as  good  a condition  as  himself.  To 
a refined  and  intellectual  nature,  it  may  not  be  difficult  to  practise  the  re- 
straint of  which  I have  spoken.  But  the  reasoning  from  such  to  the  great 
mass  of  mankind,  is  most  fallacious.  To  these,  the  supply  of  their  natural 
and  physical  wants,  and  the  indulgence  of  the  natural  domestic  affections, 
must,  for  the  most  part,  afford  the  greatest  good  of  which  they  are  capable. 
To  the  evils  which  sometimes  attend  their  matrimonial  connexions,  a rising 
from  their  looser  morality,  slaves,  for  obvious  reasons,  are  comparatively 
insensible.  I am  no  apologist  of  vice,  nor  would  I extenuate  the  conduct  of 
the  profligate  and  unfeeling,  who  would  violate  the  sanctity  of  even  these 
engagements,  and  occasion  the  pain  which  such  violations  no  doubt  do  often 
inflict.  Yetsuc.h  is  the  truth,  and  we  cannot  make  it  otherwise.  We  know 
that  a woman’s  having  been  before  a mother,  is  very  seldom  indeed  an  objec. 
tion  to  her  being  made  a wife.  I know  perfectly  well  how  this  will  be  regard- 


358 


AGRICULTURAL 


ed  by  a class  of  reasoners  or  declaimers,  as  imposing  a character  of  deeper 
horror  on  the  whole  system  ; but  still,  I will  say,  that  if  they  are  to  be  expos- 
ed to  the  evil,  it  is  mercy  that  the  sensibility  to  it  should  be  blunted.  Is  it  no 
compensation  also  for  the  vices  incident  to  Slavery,  that  they  are,  to  a great 
degree,  secured  against  the  temptation  to  greater  crimes,  and  more  atrocious 
vices,  and  the  miseries  which  attend  them;  against  their  own  disposition  to 
indolence,  and  the  profligacy  which  is  its  common  result  ? 

But  if  they  are  subject  to  the  vices,  they  have  also  the  virtues  of  slaves. 
Fidelity — often  proof  against  all  temptation — even  death  itself— an  eminently 
cheerful  and  social  temper — what  the  Bible  imposes  as  a duty,  but  which 
might  seem  an  equivocal  virtue  in  the  code  of  modern  morality — submission 
to  constituted  authority,  and  a disposition  to  be  attached  to,  as  well  as  to 
respect  those  whom  they  are  taught  to  regard  as  superiors.  They  may 
have  all  the  knowledge  which  will  make  them  useful  in  the  station  in  which 
God  has  been  pleased  to  place  them,  and  may  cultivate  the  virtues  which 
will  render  them  acceptable  to  him.  But  what  has  the  slave  of  any  country 
to  do  with  heroic  virtues,  liberal  knowledge,  or  elegant  accomplishments  ? 
It  is  for  the  master  ; arising  out  of  his  situation— imposed  on  him  as  duty — 
dangerous  and  disgraceful  if  neglected— -to  compensate  for  this,  by  his  own 
more  assiduous  cultivation,  of  the  more  generous  virtues,  and  liberal  attain- 
ments. 

It  has  been  supposed  one  of  the  great  evils  of  Slavery,  that  it  affords  the 
slave  no  opportunity  of  raising  himself  to  a higher  rank  in  society,  and  that 
he  has,  therefore,  no  inducement  to  meritorious  exeition,  or  the  cultivation 
of  his  faculties.  The  indolence  and  carelessness  of  the  slave,  and  the  less 
productive  quality  of  his  labor,  are  traced  to  the  want  of  such  excitement. 
The  first  compensation  for  this  disadvantage,  is  his  security.  If  he  can  rise 
no  higher,  he  is  just  in  the  same  degree  secured  against  the  chances  of  falling 
lowei.  It  has  been  sometimes  made  a question  whether  it  were  better  for 
man  to  be  freed  from  the  perturbations  of  hope  and  fear,  or  to  be  exposed  to 
their  vicissitudes.  But  I suppose  there  could  be  little  quest'on  with  respect 
to  a situation,  in  which  the  fears  must  greatly  predominate  over  the  hopes. 
And  such,  I apprehend,  to  be  the  condition  of  the  laboring  poor  in  countries 
where  Slavery  does  not  exist.  If  not  exposed  to  present  suffering,  there  is 
continual  apprehension  for  the  future—  for  themselves— for  their  children— 
of  sickness  and  want,  if  not  of  actual  starvation.  They  expect  to  improve 
their  circumstances  ! Would  any  person  of  ordinary  candor,  say  that  there  is 
one  in  a hundred  of  them,  who  does  not  well  know,  that  with  all  the  exer- 
tion he  can  make,  it  is  out  of  his  power  materially  to  improve  his  circum- 
stances ? I speak  not  so  much  of  menial  servants,  who  are  generally  of  a 
superior  class,  as  of  the  agricultural  and  manufacturing  laborers.  They 


PROCEEDINGS. 


359 


labor  with  no  such  view.  It  is  the  instinctive  struggle  to  preserve  existence, 
and  when  the  superior  efficiency  of  their  labor  over  that  of  our  slaves  is 
pointed  out,  as  being  animated  by  a freeman’s  hopes,  might  it  not  well  be 
replied  — it  is  because  they  labor  under  a sterner  compulsion.  The  laws 
interpose  no  obstacle  to  their  raising  their  condition  in  socieiy.  ’Tisa  great 
boon  -but  as  to  the  great  mass,  they  know  that  they  never  will  be  able  to 
raise  it— and  it  should  seem  not  very  important  in  effect,  whether  it  be  the 
interdict  of  law,  or  imposed  by  the  circumstances  of  the  society.  One  in  a 
thousand  is  successful.  But  does  his  success  compensate  for  the  sufferings 
of  the  many  who  are  tantalized,  baffled,  and  tortured  in  vain  attempts  to 
attain  a like  result?  If  the  individual  be  conscious  of  intellectual  power,  the 
suffering  is  greater.  Even  where  success  is  apparently  attained,  he  some- 
times gains  it  but  to  die— or  with  all  capacity  to  enjoy  it  exhausted-worn 
out  in  the  struggle  with  fortune.  If  it  be  true  that  the  African  is  an  inferior 
variety  of  the  human  race,  of  less  elevated  character,  and  more  limited  intel- 
lect, is  it  not  desirable  that  the  inferior  laboring  class  should  be  made  up  of 
such,  who  will  conform  to  their  condition  without  painful  aspirations,  and 
vain  struggles  ? 

The  slave  is  certainly  liable  to  bo  sold.  But,  perhaps,  it  may  be  questioned 
whether  this  is  a greater  evil  than  the  liability  of  the  laborer,  in  fully  peopled 
couni ries,  to  be  dismissed  by  his  employer,  with  the  uncertainty  of  being 
able  to  obtain  employment,  or  the  means  of  subsistence  elsewhere.  With 
us,  the  employer  cannot  dismiss  his  laborer  without  providing  him  with  an- 
other employer.  His  means  of  subsistence  are  secure,  and  this  is  a com 
pcnsation  for  much.  He  is  also  liable  to  be  separated  from  wife  or  child— 
though  not  more  frequently,  that  I am  aware  of,  than  the  exigency  of  their 
condition  compels  the  separation  of  families  among  the  laboring  poor  else- 
where—but  from  native  character  and  temperament,  the  separation  is  much 
less  severely  felt.  And  it  is  one  of  the  compensations,  that  he  may  sustain 
these  relations  without  suffering  a still  severer  penalty  for  the  indulgence. 

The  love  of  liherty  is  a n »ble  passion— to  have  the  free,  uncontrolled  dis- 
position of  ourselves,  our  words  and  actions.  But  alas  ! it  is  one  in  which 
we  know  that  a large  portion  of  the  human  race  can  never  be  gratified.  It 
is  mockery,  to  say  that  the  laborer  any  where  has  such  disposition  of  himself 
—though  there  may  be  an  approach  to  it  in  some  peculiar,  and  those,  per. 
haps,  not  the  most  desirable,  states  of  society.  But  unless  he  be  properly 
disciplined  and  prepared  for  its  enjoyment,  it  is  the  most  fatal  boon  that  could 
be  conferred— fatal  to  himself  and  others.  If  slaves  have  less  freedom  of 
action  than  other  laborers,  which  I by  no  means  admit,  they  are  saved  in  a 
great  degree  from  the  responsibility  of  self-government,  and  the  evils  spring, 
ing  from  their  own  perverse  wills.  Those  who  have  looked  mostly  into  life, 


860 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  know  how  great  a portion  of  human  misery  is  derived  from  these  sources 
—the  undecided  the  wavering  purpose  — producing  ineffectual  exertion,  or 
indolence  with  us  thousand  attendant  evils— the  wayward  conduct— intem- 
perance or  profligacy-— will  most  appreciate  this  benefit.  The  line’  of 
a slave’s  duty  is  marked  out  with  precision,  and  he  has  no  choice  but  to  fol- 
low  it.  He  is  saved  the  double  difficulty,  first  of  determining  the  proper 
course  for  himself,  and  then  of  summoning  up  the  energy  which  will  sustain 
him  in  pursuing  it. 

If  some  superior  power  should  impose  on  the  laborious  poor  of  any  other 
country— this  as  their  unalterable  condition— you  shall  be  saved  from  the 
torturing  anxiety  concerning  your  own  future  support,  and  that  of  your 
children,  which  now  pursues  you  through  life,  and  haunts  you  in  death— vou 
shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  regular  and  healthful,  though,  not  of  excessive 
labor— in  return,  you  shall  have  the  ample  supply  of  your  natural  wants— 
you  may  follow  the  instinct  of  nature  in  becoming  parents,  without  appre- 
hending that  this  supply  will  fail  yourselves  or  your  children— you  shall  be 
supported  and  relieved  in  sickness,  and  in  old  age,  wear  out  the  remains  of 
existence  among  familiar  scenes  and  accustomed  associates,  without  being 
driven  to  beg,  or  to  resort  to  the  hard  and  miserable  charity  of  a work  house 
--you  shall  of  necessity  be  temperate,  and  shall  have  neither  the  temptation 
nor  opportunity  to  commit  great  ciimes,  or  practice  the  more  destructive 
vices— how  inappreciable  would  the  boon  be  thought ! And  is  not  this  a very 
near  approach  to  the  condition  of  our  slaves  ? The  evils  of  their  situation 
they  but  lightly  feel,  and  would  hardly  feel  at  all,  if  they  were  not  sedulously 
instructed  into  sensibility.  Certain  it  is,  that  if  their  late  were  at  the  abso- 
lutely disposal  of  a council  of  the  most  enlightened  philanthropists  in  Chris- 
tendom, with  unlimited  resources,  they  could  place  them  in  no  situation  so 
favorable  to  themselves,  as  that  which  they  at  present  occupy.  But  what- 
ever good  there  may  be,  or  whatever  mitigation  of  evil,  it  is  worse  than 
valueless,  because  it  is  the  result  of  Slavery. 

I am  aware,  that  hownver  often  answered,  it  is  likely  to  be  repeated  again 
and  again— how  can  that  institution  he  tolerable,  by  which  a large  class  of 
society  is  cut  off  from  the  hope  of  improvement  in  knowledge  ; to  whom 
blows  are  not  degrading  ; theft  no  more  than  a fault : falsehood  and  the  want 
of  chastity  almost  venial,  and  in  which  a husband  or  parent  looks  with  com- 
parative indifference,  on  that  w hich,  to  a freeman,*  would  he  the  dishonor  of  a 
wife  or  child? 

But  why  not,  if  it  produces  the  greatest  aggregate  of  good  1 Sin  and  igno- 
rance are  only  evils  because  they  lead  to  misery.  It  is  not  our  institution, 
but  the  institution  of  nature,  that  in  progress  of  society  a portion  of  it  should 
be  exposed  to  want,  and  the  misery  which  it  brings,  and  therefore  involved 


PROCEEDINGS. 


361 


in  ignorance,  vice  and  depravity.  In  anticipating  some  of  the  good,  vve  also 
anticipate  a portion  of  the  evil  of  civilization.  But  we  have  it  in  a mitigat- 
ed form.  The  want  and  the  misery  are  unknown  ; the  ignorance  is  less  a 
misfortune,  because  the  being  is  not  the  guardian  of  himself,  and  partly  on 
account  of  that  involuntary  ignorance,  the  vice  is  less  vice—  less  hurtful  to  man, 
and  less  displeasing  to  God. 

There  is  something  in  this  word  S/avenj  which  seems  to  partake  of  the 
qualities  of  the  insane  root,  and  distempers  the  minds  of  men.  That  which 
would  be  true  in  relation  to  one  predicament,  they  misapply  to  another,  to 
which  it  has  no  application  at  all.  Some  of  the  virtues  ot  a freeman  would 
be  the  vices  of  slaves.  To  submit  to  a blow,  would  be  degrading  to  a free- 
man, because  he  is  the  protector  of  himself.  It  is  not  degrading  to  a slave  ; 
neither  is  it  to  a priest  or  a woman.  And  is  it  a misfortune  that  it  should  be 
so?  The  freeman  of  other  countries  is  compelled  to  submit  to  indignities 
hardly  more  endurable  than  blows:  indignities  to  make  the  sensitive  feelings 
shrink,  and  the  proud  heart  swell  ; and  this  very  name  of  freeman,  gives 
them  double  rancour.  If  when  a man  is  born  in  Europe,  it  were  certainly 
foreseen  that  he  was  destined  to  a life  of  painful  labor  ; to  obscurity,  con- 
tempt and  privation  : would  it  not  be  mercy  that  he  should  be  reared  in  igno- 
rance and  apathy,  and  trained  to  the  endurance  of  the  evils  he  must  encoun- 
ter? It  is  not  certainly  foreseen  as  to  any  individual,  but  it  is  foreseen  as  to 
the  great  mass  of  those  born  of  the  laboring  poor  ; and  it  is  for  the  mass, 
not  for  the  exception,  that  the  institutions  of  society  are  to  provide.  Is  it 
not  better  that  the  character  and  intellect  of  the  individual  should  be  suited 

♦ 

to  the  station  which  ho  is  to  occupy  ? Would  you  do  a benefit  to  the  horse  or 
the  ox,  by  giving  him  a cultivated  understanding  or  fine  feelings?  So  far  as 
t'ne  mere  laborer  has  ihe  pride,  the  knowledge,  or  the  aspirations  of  a free- 
man,  he  is  unfitted  for  his  situation,  and  must  doubly  feel  its  infelii  ity.  If 
there  are  sordid,  servile,  and  laborious  offices  to  he  performed  is  it  not  better 
that  there  should  besoruid,  servile  and  laborious  beings  to  perform  them?  If  there 
were  infallible  marks  by  which  individuals  of  inferior  intelllect,  and  inferior 
character,  could  be  selected  at  their  birth — would  not  the  interests  of  society 
be  served,  and  would  not  some  sort  of  fitness  seem  to  require,  that  they 
should  be  selected,  for  the  inferior  and  servile  offices?  And  if  this  race  he 
generally  marked  by  such  inferiority,  is  it  not  fit  that  they  should  fill  them? 

I am  well  aware  that  those  whose  aspirations  are  after  a state  of  society 
from  which  evil  shall  be  banished,  and  who  look  in  life  for  that  which  life 
will  never  afford,  contemplate  that  all  the  offices  of  life  may  be  performed 
without  contempt  or  degradation — all  be  regarded  as  equally  liberal,  or 
equally  respected.  But  theorists  cannot  control  nature  and  bend  her  to 
their  views,  and'  the  inequality  of  which  I have  before  spoken  is  deeply 
founded  in  nature.  The  offices  which  employ  knowledge  and  intellect,  will 


362 


AGRICULTURAL 


always  be  regarded  as  more  liberal  than  those,  which  only  require  the  labor 
of  the  hands.  When  there  is  competition  for  empluyment,  he  who  gives  it 
bestows  a favor,  and  it  will  be  so  received.  lie  will  assume  superiority  from 
the  power  ol  dismissing  his  laborers,  and  from  fear  of  this,  the  latter  will 
practise  deference,  often  amounting  to  servility.  Such  in  time  will  become 
the  established  relation  between  the  employer  and  the  employed,  the  rich  and 
the  poor.  If  want  be  accompanied  with  sordidness  and  squalor,  though  it  be 
pited,  the  pity  will  be  mixed  with  some  degree  of  contempt.  If  it  lead  to 
misery,  and  misery  to  vice,  there  will  be  disgust  and  aversion. 

What  is  the  essential  character  of  Slavery,  and  in  what  does  it  differ  from 
the  servitude  of  other  countries  ? It  I should  venture  on  a definition  I should 
say  that  where  a man  is  compelled  to  labor  at  the  will  of  another,  and  to 
give  him  much  the  greater  portion  of  the  product  of  his  labor,  there  Slavery 
exists  ; and  it  is  immaterial  by  what  sort  ol  compulsion  the  will  of  the  laborer 
is  subdued.  It  is  what  no  human  being  would  do  without  some  sort  of  corn- 
pulsion.  He  cannot  be  compelled  to  labor  by  blows.  No — but  what  differ- 
ence does  it  make,  if  you  can  inflict  any  other  sort  of  torture  which  will  be 
equally  effectual  in  subduing  the  will  ? If  you  can  starve  him,  or  alarm  him, 
for  the  subsistence  of  himself  or  his  family?  And  is  it  not  under  this  com- 
pulsion that  the  freeman  labors?  I do  not  mean  in  every  particular  case,  but 
in  the  general.  Will  any  one  be  hardy  enough  to  say  that  he  is  at  his  own 
disposal,  or  has  the  government  of  himself?  True,  he  may  change  his  em- 
ployer if  he  is  dissatisfied  with  his  conduct  towards  him  ; but  this  a privilege 
he  would  in  the  majority  of  cases  gladly  abandon,  and  render  the  connexion 
between  them  indissoluable.  There  is  far  less  of  the  interest  and  attach- 
ment in  his  relation  to  his  employer,  which  so  often  exists  between  the  master 
and  the  slave,  and  mitigates  the  condition  of  the  latter.  An  intelligent 
English  traveller  has  characterized  as  the  most  miserable  and  degraded  of 
all  beings,  “a  masterless  slave.”  And  is  not  the  condition  of  the  laboring 
poor  of  other  counties  too  often  that  of  masterless  slaves?  Take  the  follow- 
ing description  of  a free  laborer,  no  doubt  highly  colored,  quoted  by  the 
author  to  whom  I have  before  referred  : 

“ What  is  that  defective  being,  with  caifless  legs  and  stooping  shoulders, 
weak  in  body  and  mind,  inert,  pusillanimous  and  stupid,  whose  premature 
wrinkles  and  furtive  glance,  tell  of  misery  and  degredation  ? That  is  an  Eng. 
glish  peasant  or  pauper,  for  the  words  ate  synonimous.  His  sire  was  a 
pauper,  and  his  mother's  milk  wanted  nourishment.  From  infancy  his  food 
has  been  bad,  as  well  as  insufficient ; and  he  now  feels  the  pains  of  unsatis- 
fied hunger  nearly  whenever  he  is  awake.  But  half  clothed,  and  never 
supplied  with  more  warmth  than  suffices  to  cook  his  scanty  meals,  cold  and 
wet  come  to  him,  and  stay  by  him  with  the  weather.  He  is  married  of 


PROCEEDIN'  JS. 


3G3 


course  ; for  to  this  he  would  have  been  driven  by  the  poor  laws,  even  if  he 
had  been,  as  he  never  was,  sufficiently  comfortable  and  prudent  to  dread  the 
burden  of  a family.  But  through  instinct,  ai  d the  overseer  have  given  him  u 
wife,  he  has  not  tasted  the  highest  joys  of  husband  and  father.  His  partner 
and  his  little  ones  being  like  himself,  often  hungry,  seldom  warm,  sometimes 
sick,  without  aid,  and  always  sorrowful  without  hope,  are  greedy,  selfish,  and 
vexing;  so,  to  use  his  own  expression  he  hates  the  sight  of  them,  and  resorts 
to  his  hovel,  only  because  a hedge  affords  less  shelter  from  the  wind  and  rain. 
Compelled  by  parish  law  to  support  his  family,  which  means  to  join  them  in 
consuming  an  allowance  from  the  parish,  he  frequently  conspires  with  his 
wife  to  get  that  allowance  increased,  or  prevent  its  being  diminished.  This 
brings  beggary,  trickery,  and  quarrelling,  and  ends  in  settled  craft.  Though 
he  have  the  inclination,  he  wants  the  courage  to  become,  like  more  energetic 
men  of  his  class,  a poacher  or  smuggler  on  a large  scale,  but  he  pilfers 
oocasionally,  and  teaches  his  children  to  lie  and  steal.  Ilis  subdued  and 
slavish  manner  towards  his  great  neighbors,  shews  that  they  treat  him  with 
suspicion  and  harshness.  Consequently,  he  at  once  dreads  and  hates  them  ; 
but  he  will  never  harm  them  by  violent  means.  Too  degraded  to  be  desper- 
ate, he  is  oniy  thoroughly  depraved.  His  miserable  career  will  be  short  ; 
rheumatism  and  asthma  are  conducting  him  to  the  work  house  ; where  he 
will  breathe  his  last  without  one  pleasant  recollection,  and  so  make  room  for 
another  wretch,  who  may  live  and  die  in  the  same  way.”  And  this  descrip- 
tion or  some  other,  not  much  less  revolting,  is  applied  to  “the  bulk  of  the 
people,  the  great  body  of  the  people.”  Take  the  following  description  of 
the  condition  of  childhood,  which  has  justly  been  called  eloquent.* 

“The  children  of  the  very  poor  have  no  young  times  ; it  makes  the  very 
heart  bleed,  to  over-hear  the  casual  street  talk  between  a poor  woman  and 
her  little  girl,  a woman  of  the  better  sort  of  poor,  in  a condition  rathpr 
above  the  squalid  beings  we  have  been  contemplating.  It  is  not  of  toys,  of 
nursery  books,  of  summer  holidays,  (fitting  that  age)  of  the  promised  sight 
or  play  ; of  praised  sufficiency  at  school.  It  is  of  mangling  and  clear 
starching;  of  the  price  of  coals,  or  of  potatoes.  The  questions  of  the 
child,  that  should  be  the  very  outpourings  of  curiosity  in  idleness,  are  marked 
with  forecast  and  melancholy  providence.  It  has  come  to  be  a woman, 
before  it  was  a child.  It  has  learnt  to  go  to  market ; it  chaffers,  it  hag- 
gles, it  envies,  it  murmers;  it  is  knowing,  acute,  sharpened  ; it  never  prat- 
tles.” Imagine  such  a description  applied  to  the  children  of  negro  slaves, 
the  most  vacant  of  human  beings,  whose  life  is  a holiday. 

And  this  people,  to  whom  these  horrors  are  familiar,  are  those  who  fill  the 
world  with  clamor,  concerning  the  injustice  and  cruelty  of  Slavery.  I speak 

* Essays  of  Elia. 


364 


AGRICULTURAL 

in  no  invidious  spirit.  Neither  the  laws  nor  the  government  of  England  are 
to  be  reproached  with  the  evils  which  are  inseparable  from  the  state  of  their 
society — as  little,  undoubtedly,  are  \\eto  be  reproached  with  the  existence  of 
our  ■"  Every.  Including  the  whole  of  the  United  States — and  for  reasons 
already  given,  the  whole  ought  to  be  included,  as  receiving  in  no  unequal  de- 
gree the  benefit — may  we  not  say  justly  that  we  have  less  Slavery,  and  more 
mitigated  Slavery,  than  any  other  country  in  the  civilized  world  ? 

That  they  are  called  free,  undoubtedly  aggravates  the  sufferings  of  the 
slaves  of  other  regions.  They  see  the  enormous  inequality  which  exists,  and 
feel  their  own  misery,  and  can  hardly  conceive  otherwise,  than  that  there  is 
some  injustice  in  the  institutions  of  society  to  occasion  these.  They  regard 
the  apparently  more  fortunate  class  as  oppressors,  and  it  adds  bitterness,  that 
they  should  be  of  the  same  name  and  race.  They  feel  indignity  more 
acutely,  and  more  of  discontent  and  evil  passion  is  excited  ; they  feel  that  it 
is  mockery  that  calls  them  free.  Men  do  not  so  much  hate  and  envy  those 
who  are  sepai  ated  from  them  by  a wide  distance,  and  some  apparently  im- 
passable barrier,  as  those,  who  approach  nearer  to  their  own  condition,  and 
with  whom  they  habitually  bring  themselves  into  comparison.  The  slave 
with  us  is  not  tantalized  with  the  name  of  freedom,  to  which  Ins  whole  condi. 
tion  gives  the  lie,  and  would  do  so  if  he  were  emancipated  to-morrow.  The 
African  slave  sees  that  nature  herself  has  marked  him  as  a separate — and  if 
left  to  himself,  I have  no  doubt  he  would  feel  it  to  be  an  inferior — race,  and 
interposed  a barrier  almost  insuperable  to  his  becoming  a member  of  the 
same  society,  standing  on  the  same  footing  of  right  and  privilege  with  his 
master. 

That  the  African  negro  is  an  inferior  variety  of  the  human  race,  is  I 
think,  now  generally  admitted,  and  his  distinguishing  characteristics  are  such 
as  peculiarly  mark  him  out  for  the  situation  which  ho  occupies  among  us. 
And  these  are  no  less  marked  in  their  original  country,  than  as  we  have 
daily  occasion  to  observe  them.  The  most  remarkable  is  their  indifference 
to  personal  liberty.  In  this  they  have  followed  their  instincts  since  we  have 
any  knowledge  of  their  continent,  by  enslaving  each  'other  ; but  contrary  to 
the  experience  of  every  other  race,  the  possession  of  slaves  has  no  material 
effect  in  raising  the  character,  and  promoting  the  civilization  of  the  master. 
Another  trait  is  the  want  of  domestic  affections,  and  insensibility  to  the  ties 
of  kindred.  In  the  travels  of  the  Landers,  after  speaking  of  a single  excep- 
tion, in  the  person  of  a woman  who  betrayed  some  transient  emotion  in 
passing  by  the  country  from  which  she  had  been  torn  as  a slave,  the  authors 
add:  “that  Africans,  generally  speaking,  betray  the  most  perfect  indiffer- 
ence on  losing  their  liberty,  and  being  deprived  of  their  relatives,  while  love 
of  country  is  equally  a stranger  to  their  breasts,  as  social  tenderness  or  do- 


PROCEEDINGS, 


865 


mcstic  affection. ” “ Marriage  is  celebrated  by  the  nations  as  unconcernedly 

as  possible  ; a man  thinks  as  little  of  taking  a wife,  as  of  cutting  an  < ar  of 
corn-— affection  is  altogether  out  of  the  question.”  They  are,  however,  very 
submissive  to  authority,  and  seem  to  entertain  great  reverence  for  chiefs, 
priests  and  masters.  No  greater  indignity  can  be  offered  an  individual, 
than  to  throw  opprobrium  on  his  parents.  On  this  point  of  their  character, 

1 think  I have  remarked,  that  contrary  to  the  instinct  of  nature  in  other  races, 
they  entertain  less  regard  for  children  than  for  parents,  to  whose  authority 
they  have  been  accustomed  to  submit.  Their  character  is  thus  summed  up 
by  the  travellers  quoted,  “ the  few  opportunities  we  haye  had  of  studying 
their  characters,  induce  us  to  believe  that  they  aie  a simple,  honest,  inoffen- 
sive, but  weak,  timid  and  cowardly  race.  They  seem  to  have  no  social  ten- 
derness, very  few  of  those  amiable  private  virtues  which  could  win  our  af- 
fections, and  none  ot  those  public  qualities  that  claim  respect  or  command 
admiration.  The  love  of  country  is  not  strong  enough  in  their  bosoms  to 
incite  them  to  defend  it  against  a despicable  foe  ; and  of  the  active  energy, 
noble  sentiments,  and  contempt  of  danger  which  distinguishes  the  North 
American  tribes  and  other  savages,  no  traces  are  to  be  found  among  this 
slothful  people.  Regardless  of  the  past,  as  reckless  of  the  future,  the 
present  alone  influences  their  actions.  In  this  respect,  they  approach  nearer 
to  the  nature  of  the  brute  creation,  than  perhaps  any  other  people  on  the  face 
of  the  globe.”  Let  me  ask  if  this  people  do  not  furnish  the  very  material 
out  of,  which  staves  ought  to  be  made,  and  whether  it  he  not  an  improving  of 
their  condition  to  make  them  the  slaves  of  civilized  masters.  There  is  a 
variety  in  the  character  of  the  tribes.  Some  are  brutally,  and  savagely 
ferocious  and  bloody,  whom  it  would  be  mercy  to  enslave.  From  the  travel- 
ers’account,  it  seems  not  unlikely  that  the  negro  race  is  tending  to  exter- 
mination, being  daily  encroached  on,  and  overrun  by  the  superior  Arab  race. 
It  may  be,  that  when  they  shall  have  been  lost  from  their  native  seats,  they 
may  be  found  numerous,  and  in  no  unhappy  condition,  on  the  continent  to 
which  they  have  been  transplanted. 

The  opinion  which  connects  form  and  features  with  character  and  intel- 
lectual power,  is  one  so  deeply  impressed  on  the  human  mind,  that  perhaps 
there  is  scarcely  any  man  who  does  not  almost  daily  act  upon  it,  and  in  some 
measure  verify  its  truth.  Yet  in  spite  of  this  intimation  of  nature,  and 
though  the  anatomist  and  physiologist  may  tell  them  that  the  races  differ  in 
every  hone  and  muscle,  and  in  the  proportion  of  brain  and  nerves,  yet  there 
are  some,  wito  with  a most  bigoted  and  fanatical  determination  to  flee  them, 
selves  from  what  they  have  prejudged  to  be  prejudice,  will  still  maintain  that 
this  physiognomy,  evidently  tending  to  that  of  'he  brute  when  compared  to 
that  of  the  Ca  1 casian  race,  may  be  ‘enlightened  by  as  much  thought,  and 


866 


AGRICULTURAL 


animated  by  as  lofty  sentiment.  We  who  have  the  best  opportunity  of  judg» 
ing,  are  pronounced  to  be  incompetent  to  do  so,  and  to  be  blinded  by  our 
interest  and  prejudices— often  by  those  who  have  no  opportunity  at  all — and 
we  ai'e  to  be  taught  to  distrust  or  disbelieve  that  which  we  daily  observe,  and 
familiarly  know, on  such  authority.  Uur  prejudices  are  spoken  of.  But  the 
truth  is,  tha',  Until  very  lately,  since  circumstances  have  compelled  ua  to 
think  of  ourselves,  We  took  our  opinions  on  this  subject,  as  on  every  other, 
ready  formed  from  the  country  of  our  origin.  And  so  deeply  rooted  were 
they,  that  we  adhered  to  them,  as  most  men  will  do  to  deeply  rooted  opinions, 
even  against  the  evidence  of  our  own  observation,  and  our  own  senses.  If 
the  inferiority  exists,  it  is  attributed  to  the  apathy  and  degradation  produced 
by  Slavery.  Though  of  the  hundreds  of  thousand  scattered  over  other  coun* 
tries,  where  the  laws  impose  i.o  liability  upon  them,  none  has  given  eviderce 
of  an  approach  to  even  mediocrity  of  intellectual  excellence,  this  too  is  at. 
tributed  to  the  Slavery  of  a portion  of  their  race.  They  are  regarded  as  a 
servile  caste,  and  degraded  by  opinion,  and  thus  every  generous  effort  is 
repressed.  Yet  though  this  should  be  the  general  effect,  this  Very  estimation 
is  calculated  to  produce  the  contrary  effect  in  particular  instances.  It  is 
observed  by  Bacon,  With  respect  to  deformed  persons  and  eunuchs,  that 
though  in  general  there  is  something  of  perversity  in  the  character,  the  dis» 
advantage  often  leads  to  extraordinary  displays  of  virtue  and  excellence. 
41  Whosoever  hath  any  thing  fixed  in  his  person  that  doth  induce  contempt, 
hath  also  a perpetual  spur  in  himself,  to  rescue  and  deliver  himself  from 
scorn.”  So  it  Would  be  with  them,  if  they  were  capable  of  European  aspira- 
tions—genius,  if  they  possessed  it,  would  be  doubly  fired  with  noble  rage  to 
rescue  itself  from  this  scorn.  Of  course,  ] do  not  mean  to  say  that  there 
mav  not  be  found  among  them  some  of  superior  capacity  to  many  white 
persons;  hut  that  great  intellectual  powers  are,  perhaps,  never  found  among 
them,  and  that  in  general  their  capacity  is  very  limited,  and  their  feelings 
animal  and  coarse — fitting  them  peculiarly  to  discharge  the  lower,  and  merely 
mechanical  offices  of  society. 

And  why  should  it  not  be  so  ? We  have  among  domestic  animals  infinite 
varieties,  distinguished  by  various  degrees  of  sagacity,  courage,  strength, 
swiftness,  and  other  qualities.  And  it  may  be  observed,  that  this  is  no  objec- 
tion to  their  being  derived  from  a common  origin,  which  we  suppose  them  to 
have  bad.  Yet  these  accidental  qualities,  as  they  may  he  termed,  however 
acquired  in  the  first  instance,  we  know  that  they  transmit  unimpaired  to  their 
posterity  for  an  indefinite  succession  of  generations.  It  is  most  important 
that  these  varieties  should  be  preserved,  and  that  each  should  be  applied  to 
the  purposes  for  which  it  is  best  adapted.  No  philo-zoost,  I believe,  has 
suggested  it  as  desirable  that  these  varieties  should  be  melted  down  into  one 
equal,  undistinguished  race  of  curs  or  road  horses. 


FHOCELDlAa?. 


86? 

Slavery,  as  it  is  said  in  an  eloquent  article  published  in  a Southern  periodi- 
cal work,*’  t>)  which  I am  indebted  for  other  ideas, “has  done  more  to  elevate 
u degraded  race  in  the  scale  of  humanity  ; to  tame  the  savage  ; to  civilize  the 
barbarous;  to  soften  ihe  ferocious  ; to  enlighten  the  ignorant,  and  to  spread 
the  blessings  of  Christianity  among  the  heathen,  than  all  the  missionaries  that 
philanthropy  and  religion  have  ever  sent  forth.”  "i  ct  unquestionable  as  this 
is,  and  though  human  ingenuity  and  thought  may  be  tasked  in  Vain  to  devise 
any  other  means  by  which  these  blessings  could  have  been  conferred,  yet  a 
sort  of  sensibility  which  would  be  only  mawkish  and  contemptible,  if  it 
were  not  mischievous,  affects  still  to  weep  over  the  wrongs  of  *•  injured  Afri- 
ca ” Can  there  be  a doubt  of  the  immense  benefit  which  has  been  conferred 
on  the  race,  by  transplanting  them  from  their  native,  dark,  and  barbarous 
regions,  to  the  American  Continent  and  Islands  ? There,  three-fourths  of  the 
race  are  in  a state  of  the  most  deplorable  personal  Slavery.  And  those  w ho 
are  not,  are  in  a scarcely  less  deplorable  condition  of  political  Slavery,  to 
barbarous  chiefs-=who  value  neither  life  nor  any  other  human  right,  or 
enthralled  by  priests  to  the  most  abject  and  atrocious  superstitions.  Take 
the  following  testimony  of  one  of  the  few  disinterested  observers,  who  has 
had  an  opportunity  of  observing  them  in  both  situations.!  “The  wild  sav- 
age is  the  child  of  passion,  unaided  by  one  ray  of  religion  or  morality  to  direct 
his  eoursc,  in  consequence  of  which  his  existence  is  stained  with  every  crime 
Chat  cun  debase  human  nature  to  a level  with  the  brute  creation.  Who  can 
say  that  the  slaves  tn  our  colonies  are  such  ? Are  they  not,  by  comparison 
with  their  still  savage  brethren,  enlightened  beings?  Is  not  the  West  In- 
dian negro,  therefore,  greatly  indebted  to  his  master  for  making  him  what 
he  is—for  having  raised  him  from  the  state  of  debasement  in  which  he  was 
born,  and  placed  him  in  a scale  of  civilized  society?  flow  can  he  repay 
him  ? He  is  possessed  of  nothing-“-the  only  return  in  his  pwWer  is  his  servi- 
tude. The  man  who  has  seen  the  wild  African,  roaming  in  his  native 
woods,  and  the  well  fed,  happy  looking  negro  of  the  West  Indies,  may  per- 
haps, be  able  to  judge  of  their  comparative  happiness  : the  former  1 strong- 
ly suspect  would  be  gl  d to  change  his  state  of  boasted  freedom,  starvation 
and  disease,  to  become  the  slave  of  sinners,  and  the  commiseration  of  saints.” 
It  was  a useful  and  beneficent  Work,  approaching  the  heroic,  to  tame  the 
wild  horse,  and  subdue  him  to  the  use  of  man  i hoW  much  more  to  tame  the 
nobler  animal  that  is  capable  of  reason,  and  subdue  him  to  usefulness. 

We  believe  that  the  tendency  of  slavery  is  to  elevate  the  character  of  the 
master.  No  doubt  the  character—especially  of  youth— has  sometimes  re- 

* Southern  Literafy  Messenger,  for  January,  1335.  Note  to  Blackst  one's  Commentaries, 

t Journal  of  an  officer  employed  in  the  expedition,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Owen, 
Oil  the  Western  Coast  of  Africa,  1822. 


368 


AGRICULTURAL 


ceived  a tint  and  premature  knowledge  of  vice,  from  the  contact  and  associa- 
tion with  ignorant  and  servile  beings  of  gross  manners  and  morals.  Yet 
still  we  believe  that  the  entire  tendency  is  to  inspire  disgust  and  aversion 
towards  their  peculiar  vices.  It  was  not  without  a knowledge  of  nature,  that 
the  Spartans  exhibited  the.  vices  of  slaves  by  way  of  negative  example  to 
their  children.  VVe  flatter  ourselves  that  the  view  of  this  degradation,  miti- 
gated as  it  is,  has  the  effect  of  making  probity  more  strict,  the  pride  of 
character  more  high,  the  sense  of  honor  more  strong,  than  is  commonly 
found  where  this  institution  does  not  exist.  Whatever  may  be  the  prevail- 
ing faults  or  vices  of  the  masters  of  slaves,  they  have  not  commonly  been 
understood  to  bo  those  of  dishonesty,  cowardice,  meanness  or  falsehood. 
And  so  most  unquestionably  it  ought  to  be.  Our  institutions  would  indeed 
be  intolerable  in  the  sight  of  God  and  man,  if,  condemning  one  por.ion  of 
society  to  hopeless  ignorance  and  comparative  degradation,  they  should  make 
no  atonement  by  elevating  the  other  class  by  higher  virtues,  and  more  liberal 
attainments— if,  besides  degraded  slaves,  there  should  be  ignorant,  ignoble, 
and  degraded  freemen.  There  is  a broad  and  well  marked  line,  beyond 
which  no  slavish  vice  should  he  regarded  with  the  least  toleration  or  allow- 
ance. One  class  is  cut  off  from  all  interest  in  the  State— that  abstraction 
so  potent  to  the  feelings  of  a generous  nature.  The  other  must  make  com- 
pensation by  increased  assiduity  and  devotion  to  its  honor  and  welfare.  The 
love  of  wealth— so  laudable  when  kept  within  proper  limits,  so  base  and  mis 
chievous  when  it  exceeds  them— so  infectious  in  its  example— an  infection  to 
which  I fear  we  have  been  too  much  exposed— should  be  pursued  by  no  arts 
in  any  degree  equivocal,  or  at  any  risk  of  injustice  tn  others.  So  surely  as 
there  is  a just  and  wise  governor  of  the  universe,  who  punishes  the  sins  of 
nations  and  communities,  as  well  as  of  individuals,  so  surely  shall  we  suffer 
punishment,  if  we  are  indifferent  to  that  moral  and  intellectual  cultivation  of 
which  the  means  are  furnished  to  us,  and  to  which  we  are  called  and  incited 
by  our  situation. 

I would  to  heaven  1 could  express,  as  I feel,  the  conviction  how  necessary 
this  cultivation  is,  not  only  to  our  prosperity  and  consideration,  but  to  our 
safety  and  very  existence.  We,  the  slave-holding  Slates  arc  in  a hopeless 
minority  in  our  own  confederated  republic— to  say  nothing  of  the  great  con- 
federacy of  the  civilized  States.  It  is  admitted,  I believe,  not  only  by  slave- 
holders, but  by  others,  that  we  have  sent  to  our  common  councils  more  than 
our  due  shaie  of  talent,  high  character  and  eloquence.  Yei  in  spite  of  all 
these  most  strenuously  exerted,  measures  have  been  sometimes  adopted 
which  wo  believed  to  be  dangerous  and  injurious  to  us,  and  threatening  to  be 
fatal.  What  would  be  ouv  situation,  if,  instead  of  these,  we  were  only  repre- 
sented by  ignorant  and  grovelling  men,  incapable  of  raising  their  views 


proceedings* 


369 


beyofid  a job  or  petty  office,  and  incapable  of  commanding  hearing  or  con- 
sideration* May  1 be  | ermitted  to  advert—by  no  means  invidiously — to  the 
late  contest  carried  on  by  South  Carolina  against  Federal  authority,  and  so 
happily  terminated  by  the  moderation  which  prevailed  in  our  public  coun- 
sels. I have  often  reflected,  what  one  circumstance,  more  than  any  other, 
contributed  to  the  successful  issue  of  a contest,  apparently  so  hopeless,  in 
which  one  weak  and  divided  State  was  arrayed  against  the.  whole  force  of 
the  Confederacy=-unsustained,  and  uncountenanced,  even  by  those  who  had 
a common  interest  with  her.  It  seemed  to  me  to  be,  that  we  had  for  lead- 
■ors  an  unusual  number  of  men  of  great  intellectual  power,  co-operating  cor- 
dially and  in  good  faith,  and  commanding  respect  and  confidence  at  home  and 
abroad,  by  elevated  and  honorable  character.  It  was  from  these  that  we — 
the  followers  at  home — caught  hope  and  confidence  in  the  gloomiest  aspect 
of  our  affairs.  These,  by  their  eloquence  and  the  largeness  of  their  views, 
at  least  shook  the  faith  of  the  dominant  majority  in  the  wisdom  and  justice  of 
their  measures-— or  the  practicability  of  carrying  them  into  successful  effect, 
and  by  their  bearing  and  well  known  character,  satisfied  them  that  South 
’Carolina  would  do  all  that  she  had  pledged  herself  to  do.  Without  these, 
how  different  might  have  been  the  result  ? And  who  shall  say  what  at  this 
day  would  have  been  the  aspect  of  the  now  flourishing  fields  and  cities  of 
South  Carolina  ? Or  rather  without  these,  it  is  probable  the  contest  would 
never  have  been  begun  $ but  that  without  even  the  animation  of  a struggle, 
we  should  have  sunk  silently  into  a hopeless  and  degrading  subjection.  While 
I have  memory— in  the  extremity  of  age— in  sickness — -under  all  tire  rever- 
ses and  calamities  of  life— I shall  have  one  source  of  pride  and  consolation — 
that  of  having  been  associated— according  to  my  humbler  position — with  the 
■noble  spirits  who  stood  prepared  to  devote  themselves  for  Liberty — the 
Constitution— the  Union.  May  such  character  and  such  talent,  never  be 
wanting  to  South  Carolina,  ' 

I am  sure  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  to  an  assembly  like  this,  that  the 
'conduct  of  the  master  to  his  slave  should  be  distinguished  by  the  utmost  hu- 
manity. That,  we  should  indeed  regard  them  as  wards  and  dependants  on 
nur  kindness,  for  whose  well  feeing  in  every  way  we  are  deeply  responsible. 
This  is  no  less  the  dictate  of  wisdom  and  just  policy,  than  of  right  feeling. 
It  is  wise  with  respect  to  the  services  to  fee  expected  from  them.  I have 
never  heard  of  an  owner  whose  conduct  in  their  management  was  distin- 
guished by  undue  severity,  whose  slaves  were  not  in  a great  degree  worthless 
to  him.  A cheerful  and  kindly  demeanor,  with  the  expression  of  interest 
in  themselves  and  their  affairs,  is,  perhaps,  calculated  to  have  a better  effect 
on  them,  than  what  might  be  esteemed  more  substantial  favors  and  indulgen- 
ces. Throughout  nature,  attachment  is  the  reward  of  attachment.  It  is 
24 


370 


AGRICULTURAL 


wise  too  in  relation  to  the  civilized  world  around  us,  to  avoid  giving  oceasi'orj 
to  the  odium  which  is  so  industriously  excited  against  ourselves  and  our  in-> 
stitutions.  For  this  reason,  public  opinion  should,  if  possible,  bear  even 
more  strongly  and  indignantly  than  it  does  at  present,  on  masters  who  prac- 
tiseany  wanton  cruelty  on  their  slaves.  The  miscreant  who1  is  gtrrlty  of  this, 
not  only  violates  the  law  of  God  and  ol  humanity,  but  as  far  as  in  him  lies, 
by  bringing  odium  upon,  endangers  the  institutions  of  his  country,  and  the 
safety  of  his  countrymen.  He  casts  a shade  upon  the  character  of  every 
individual  of  his  fellow-citizens,  and  does  every  one  of  them  a personal 
injury.  So  of  him  who  indulges  in  any  odious  excess  of  intemperate  or 
licentious  passion.  It  ia  detached  instances  of  this  9ort,  of  which  the  exis- 
tence is,  perhaps,  hardly  known  among  ourselyes,  that,  collected  with  per. 
tinacious  and  malevolent  industry,  affords  the  most  formidable  weapons  to 
the  mischievous  zealots,  who  array  them  as  being  characteristic  of  our  gen- 
eral  manners  tpid  state  of  society. 

I would  by  no  means  be  understood  to  intimate,  that  a Vigorous,  as  Well  as 
just  government,  should  not  be  exercised  over  siavea.  This  is  part  of  our 
duty  towards  them,  no  less  obligatory  than  any  other  duty,  and  no  less  neces- 
sary towards  their  well  being  than  to  ours.  1 believe  that  art  least  as  much 
injury  has  been  done  and  suffering  inflicted  by  weak  and  injudicious  indul-? 
gence,  as  by  inordinate  severity.  Be  whose  business  is  to  labor,  should  be 
made  to  labor,  and  that  with  due  diligence,  and  should  be  Vigorously  re- 
strained from  excess  or  vice.  This  is  no  less  necessary  to  bis  happiness 
than  to  his  usefulness.  The  master  who  neglects  this,  not  only  makes  his 
slaves  unprofitable  to  himself,  but  discontented  and  Wretehed-—a  nuisance  to 
his  neighbors  and  to  society. 

1 have  said  that  the  tendency  of  our  instiiution  is  to  elevate  the  female 
character,  as  welt  as  that  of  the  other  sex,  and  for  similar  reasons.  In  other 
states  of  society,  there  is  no  well  defined  limit  to  separate  virtue  and  vice. 
There  are  degrees  of  vice  from  the  most  flagrant  and  odious,  to  that  which 
scarcely  incurs  the  censure  of  society.  Many  individuals  occupy  an  une- 
quivocal position  ; and  as  society  becomes  accustomed  to  this,  there  Will  be 
a less  peremptory  requirement  of  purity  in  female  manners  and  conduct  y 
and  often  the  whole  of  the  society  will  be  in  a tainted  and  uncertain  condi- 
tion with  respect  to  ft  male  virtue.  Here,  there  is  that  certain  and  marked 
line,  above  which  there  is  no  toleration  or  allowance  for  any  approach  tc 
license  of  manners  or  conduct,  and  she  Who  falls  below  it,  will  fall  far  LeloW 
even  the  slave.  How  many  will  incur  this  penalty  ? 

And  permit  me  to  say  that  this  elevation  of  the  female  character  is  nc> 
less  important  and  essential  to  us,  than  the  moral  and  intellectual  cultivation 
of  the  other  sex.  It  would  indeed  be  intolerable,  if,  when  ore  elass  of  the? 


PROCEEDINGS. 


371 


society  is  necessarily  Regraded  in  this  respect,  no  compensation  were  made 
by  the  superior  elevation  and  purity  of  the  other.  Not  only  essential  purity 
of  conduct,  but  the  utmost  purity  of  manners,  and  I will  add,  though  it  may 
incur  the  formidable  charge  of  affectation  or  prudery, — a greater  severity  of 
decorum  than  is  required  elsewhere,  is  necessary  among  us.  Always  should 
be  strenuously  resisted  the  attempts  which  have  been  sometimes  made  to  in- 
troduce among  us  the  freedom  of  foreign  European,  and  especially  of  conti- 
nental manners.  This  freedom,  the  remotest  in  the  world  from  that  which 
sometimes  springs  from  simplicity  of  manners  is  calculated  and  commonly 
intended  to  confound  the  outward  distinctions  of  virtue  and  vice.  It  is  to 
prepare  the  way  for  licentiousness — to  produce  this  effect — that  if  those  who 
are  clothed  with  the  outward  color  and  garb  of  vice,  may  be  well  received  by 
society,  those  who  are  actually  guilty  may  hope  to  be  so  too.  It  may  be 
said,  that  there  is  olten  perfect  purity  where  there  is  very  great  freedom  of 
manners.  And,  I have  no  doubt,  this  may  be  true  in  particular  instances, 
but  it  is  never  true  of  any  society  in  which  this  is  the  general  state  of  man- 
ners. What  guards  can  there  be  put  to  purity,  when  every  thing  that  may 
possibly  be  done  innocently,  is  habitually  practised  ; when  there  can  be  no 
impropriety  which  is  not  vice.  And  what  must  be  the  depth  of  the  depravity 
when  there  is  a departure  from  that  which  they  admit  as  principle.  Besides, 
things  which  may  perhaps  be  practised  innocently  where  they  are  familiar, 
produce  a mortal  dilaceration  in  the  course  of  their  being  introduced  where 
they  are  new.  Let  us  say,  we  will  not  have  the  manners  of  South  Carolina 
changed. 

I have  before  said  that  free  labor  is  cheaper  than  the  labor  of  slaves,  and 
so  far  as  it  is  so,  the  condition  of  the  free  laborer  is  worse.  But  I think 
President  Dew  has  sufficiently  shown  that  this  is  only  true  of  Northern 
countries.  It  is  matter  of  familiar  remark  that  the  tendency  of  warm  cli- 
mates is  to  relax  the  human  constitution  and  indispose  to  labor.  The  earth 
yields  abundantly—in  some  regions  almost  spontaneously — under  the  influ. 
ence  of  the  sun,  and  the  means  of  supporting  life  are  obtained  with  but  slight 
exertion;  and  men  will  use  no  greater  exertion  than  is  necessary  to  the  pur- 
pose.  This  very  luxuriance  of  vegetation,  where  no  other  cause  concurs, 
renders  the  air  less  salubrious,  and  even  when  positive  malady  does  not  exist, 
the  health  is  habitually  impaired.  Indolence  renders  the  constitution  more 
liable  to  those  effects  of  the  atmosphere,  and  these  again  aggravate  the  indo- 
lence.  Nothing  but  the  coertion  of  slavery  can  overcome  the  repugnance  to 
labor  under  these  circumstances,  and  by  subduing  the  soil,  improve  and  render 
wholesome  the  climate. 

It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  there  does  not  now  exist  on  the  face  of  the 
earth,  a people  in  a tropical  climate,  or  one  approaching  to  it,  where  slavery 
does  not  exist,  that  is  in  a high  state  of  civilisation,  or  exhibits  the  energies 


372 


AGRICULTURAL 


which  mark  the  progress  towards  it.  Mexico  and  the  South  American  re- 
.publics,*  starting  on  their  new  career  of  independence,  and  having  gone 
through  a farce  of  abolishing  slavery,  are  rapidly  degenerating,  even  from 
semi-barbarism.  The  only  portion  of  the  South  American  continent  which 
seems  to  be  making  any  favorable  progress,  in  spite  of  rich  and  arbitrary 
civil  government,  is  Brazil,  in  which  slavery  has  been  retained.  Cuba,  of  the 
same  race  with  the  continental  republics,  is  daily  and  rapidly  advancing 
in  industry  and  civilization  ; and  this  is  owing  exclusively  to  her  slaves. 
St.  Momingo  is  struck  out  of  the  map  of  civilized  existence,  and  the  British 
West  Indies  will  shortly  be  so.  On  the  other  continent,  Spain  and  Portu- 
gal  are  degenerate,  and  their  rapid  progress  is  downward.  Their  southern 
coast  is  infested  by  disease,  arising  from  causes  which  industry  might  readily 
overcome,  but  that  industry  they  will  never  exert.  Greece  is  still  barbarous 
and  scantily  peopled.  fl  he  work  of  an  English  physician  distinguished  by 
strong  sense  and  power  of  observation, f gives  a most  affecting  picture  of 
the  condition  of  Italy, — especially  south  of  the  Appenines.  With  the  decay 
of  industry,  the  climate  has  degenerated  towards  the  condition  from  which  it 
was  first  rescued  by  the  labor  of  slaves.  There  is  poison  in  every  man’s 
"veins,  affecting  the  very  springs  of  life,  dulling  or  extinguishing,  with  the 
energies  of  the  body,  all  energy  of  mind,  and  often  exhibiting  itself  in  the 
most  appalling  forms  of  disease.  From  year  to  year  the  pestilential  atmos- 
phere  creeps  forward,  narrowing  the  circles  within  which  it  is  possible  to 
sustain  human  life.  With  disease  and  misery,  industry  still  more  rapidly 
decays,  and  if  the  process  goes  or,,  it  seems  that  Italy  too  will  soon  be 
ready  for  another  experiment  in  colonization. 

* Tire  author  of  England  andAmerica  thasspeaks  of  the  Colombian  republic: 

“ During  some  years,  this  colony  has  been  an  independent  state  ; but  the  people  dis- 
persed over  this  vast  and  fertile  plains,  have  almost  ceased  to  cultivate  the  good  land  at 
their  disposal ; they  subsist  principally,  many  of  them  entirely  on  the  flesh  of  wild  cattle  : 
they  have  lost  most  of  the  arts  of  civilized  life;  not  a few  of  them  are  in  a state  of  de- 
plorable misery;  and  if  they  should  continue,  as  it  seems  probable  they  will,  to  retrograde 
as  at  present,  the  beautiful  pampas  of  Buenos  Ayres  will  soon  be  fit  for  another  experi- 
ment in  colonization.  Slaves,  black  or  yellow,  would  have  cultivated  those  plains,  would 
have  kept  together,  would  have  been  made  toassisteach  other;  would,  by  keeping  togeth- 
er and  assisting  each  other,  have  raised  a surplus  produce  exchangeable  in  distant  markets  . 
would  have  kept  their  masters  together  for  the  sake  of  markets  ; would,  by  combination  of 
labor,  have  preserved  among  their  masters  the  arts  and  habits  of  civilized  life.”  Yet  this 
writer,  the  whole  practical  effect  of  whose  work,  whatever  he  may  have  thought  or  intend- 
ed, is  to  show  the  absolute  necessity,  and  immense  benefits  of  slavery,  finds  it  necessary  to 
add,  I suppose,  in  deference  to  the  general  sentiment  of  his  countrymen,  “that  slavery 
might  have  done  all  this,  seems  not  more  plain,  than  that  so  much  good  would  have  been 
bought  too  dear,  if  its  price  had  been  slavery.”  Well  may  we  say  that  the  word  nwkee 
men  mad. 

t Johnson  on  Change  of  Air. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


373 


Yet  once  it  was  not  so,  when  Italy  was  possessed  by  the  masters  of  slaves  ; 
when  Rome  contained  her  millions,  and  Italy  was  a garden  ; when  their 
iron  energies  of  body  corresponded  with  the  energies  of  mind  which  made 
them  conquerors  in  every  climate  and  on  every  soil  ; rolled  the  tide  of  con- 
quest, not  as  in  later  times,  from  the  South  to  the  North  ; extended  their  laws 
and  their  civilization,  and  created  them  Lords  of  the  earth. 

“ What  conflux  issuing  forth  or  entering  in  ; 

Prastors,  pro-consuls  to  their  provinces, 

Hasting,  or  on  return  in  robes  of  State. 

Lictors  and  rods,  the  ensigns  of  their  power, 

Legions  and  cohorts,  turras  ofherse  and  wings:: 

Or  embassies  from  regions  (ar  remote. 

In  various  habits,  on  the  Appian  road, 

Or  on  th’  Emilian;  some  from  farthest  South, 

Syene,  and  where  the  shadow  both  way  falls, 

Meroe,  Nilotic  isle,  and  more  to  West, 

The  realms  of  Booehus  to  the  Blackmoor  sea  ; 

Fromth’  Asian  Kings,  and  Parthian  among  these; 

From  India  and  the  golden  Chersonese, 

A ttd  utmost  Indias  isle,  Taprobona, 

Dusk  faces,  with  white  silken  turbans  wreathed 
From  Gallia,  Gades  and  the  British  West; 

Germans,  and  Scythians,  and  Sarmatians,  North 
Beyond  Danubius  to  the  Tauric  Pool! 

All  nations  now  to  Rome  obedience  pay.” 

Such  was  and  such  is  the  picture  of  Italy.  Greece  presents  a contrast 
not  less  striking.  What  is  the  cause  of  the  great  change?  Many  causes, 
no  doubt,  have  occurred  ; but  though 

“ War,  famine,  pestilence  and  flood  and  fire 
Have  dealt  upon  the  seven-hilled  city’s  pride.” 

I will  venture  to  say  that  nothing  has  dealt  upon  it  more  heavily  than  the 
loss  of  domestic  slavery.  Is  not  this  evident?  If  they  had  slaves,  with  an 
energetic  civil  government,  would  the  deadly  miasma  be  permitted  to  over- 
spread  the  Campagna  and  invade  Rome  herself  ? Would  not  the  soil  be 
cultivated,  and  the  wastes  reclaimed?  A late  traveller*  mentions  a canal, 
cut  for  miles  through  rock  and  mountain,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  off  the 
waters  of  the  lake  of  Celano,  on  which  thirty  thousand  Roman  slaves  were 
employed  for  eleven  years,  and  which  remains  almost  perfect  to  the  present 
day.  This,  the  government  of  Naples  was  ten  years  in  repairing  with  an 
hundred  workmen.  The  imperishable  works  of  Rome  which  remain  to  the 
present  day  were  for  the  most  part  executed  by  slaves.  How  different 
would  be  the  condition  of  Naples,  if  for  her  wretched  lazzironi  were  sub- 

* Eight  daysin  the  Abruzzi. — Blackwood' s Magazine,  November,  1835. 


t 


374 


AGRICULTURAL 


stituted  negro  slaves,  employed  in  rendering  productive  the  plains  whose 
fertility  now  serves  only  to  infect  the  air ! 

To  us,  on  whom  this  institution  is  fastened,  and  who  could  not  shake  it  off, 
even  if  we  desired  to  do  so,  the  great  republics  of  antiquity  offer  instruction 
of  inestimable  value.  They  teach  us  that  slavery  is  compatible  with  the 
freedom,  stability  and  long  duration  of  civil  government,  with  denseness  of 
population,  great  power,  and  the  highest  civilization.  And  in  what  respect 
does  this  modern  Europe,  which  claims  to  give  opinions  to  the  world,  so  far 
excel  them —notwithstanding  the  immense  advantages  of  the  Christian  re  i- 
gion  and  the  discovery  of  the  art  of  printing?  They  are  not  free,  nor 
have  performed  more  glorious  actions,  nor  displayed  more  exalted  virtue. 
In  the  higher  departments  of  intellect — in  all  that  relates  to  taste  and  imagin- 
ation— they  will  hardly  venture  to  claim  equality.  Where  they  have  gone 
beyond  them  in  the  results  of  mechanical  philosophy,  or  discoveries  which 
contribute  to  the  wants  and  enjoyments  of  physical  life,  they  have  done  so 
by  the  help  of  means  with  which  they  were  furnished  by  the  Grecian  mind 
— the  mother  of  civilization — and  only  pursued  a little  further  the  tract 
which  that  had  always  pointed  out.  In  the  development  of  intellectual  pow- 
er, they  will  hardly  bear  comparison.  Those  noble  republics  in  the  pride  of 
tlteir  strength  and  greatness,  may  have  anticipated  for  themselves — as  some 
of  their  poets  did  for  them,  an  everlasting  duration  and  predominance. 
But  they  could  not  have  anticipated,  that  when  they  had  fallen  under  bar- 
barous arms,  that  when  arts  and  civilization  were  lost,  and  the  whole  earth 
in  darkness — the  first  light  should  break  from  their  tombs — that  in  a renewed 
world,  unconnected  with  them  by  ties  of  locality,  language  or  descent,  they 
should  still  be  held  the  models  of  all  that  is  profound  in  science,  or  elegant  in 
literature,  or  all  that  is  great  in  character,  or  elevated  in  imagination.  And 
perhaps  when  England  herself,  who  now  leads  the  war  with  which  we  are 
on  all  sides  threatened,  shall  have  fulfilled  her  mission,  and  like  the  other 
glorious  things  of  the  earth,  shall  have  passed  away ; when  she  shall  have 
diffused  her  noble  race  and  noble  language,  her  laws,  her  literature  and  her 
civilization,  over  all  quarters  of  the  earth,  and  shall  perhaps  be  overrun  by 
some  Northern  horde — sunk  into  an  ignoble  and  anarchical  democracy,*  or 
subdued  to  the  dominion  of  some  Caesar, — demagogue  and  despot, — there, 
in  Southern  regions,  there  may  be  found  many  republics,  triumphing  in 
Grecian  arts  and  civilization,  and  worthy  of  Biiiish  descent  and  Roman  in- 
stitutions. 

If  after  a time,  when  the  mind  and  almost  the  memory'  of  the  republic 
were  lost,  Romans  degenerated,  they  furnish  conclusive  evidence  that  this 

* I do  not  use  the  word  democracy  in  the  Athenian  sense,  but  to  describe  the  govern- 
ment in  which  the  slave  and  his  master  have  an  equal  voice  in.  public  affairs. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


375 


was  owing  not  to  their  domestic,  but  to  their  political  slavery.  The  same 
thing  is  observed  over  all  the  eastern  monarchies;  and  so  it  must  be,  wher- 
ever properly  is  insecure,  and  it  is  dangerous  for  a man  to  raise  himself  to 
such  eminence  by  intellectual  or  moral  excellence,  as  would  give  him  influ- 
ence over  his  society.  So  it  is  in  Egypt;  and  the  other  regions  bordering 
the  Mediterranean  which  once  comprehended  the  civilization  of  the  world, 
where  Carthage,  Tyre  and  Pnoenecia  flourished.  In  short,  the  uncontra- 
dicted experience  of  the  world  is,  that  in  Southern  States  where  good  gov- 
ernment and  predial  and  domestic  slavery  are  found,  there  are  prosperity 
and  greatness ; where  either  of  these  conditions  is  wanting,  degeneracy 
and  barbarism.  The  former  however  is  equally  essential  in  all  climates  and 
under  all  institutions.  And  can  we  suppose  it  to  be  the  design  of  the  crea- 
tor, that  these  regions,  constituting  half  of  the  earth’s  surface,  and  the  more 
fertile  half  and  more  capable  of  sustaining  life,  should  be  abandoned  forever 
to  depopulation  and  barbarism  ? Certain  it  is  that  they  will  never  be 
reclaimed  by  the  labour  of  freemen.  In  our  own  country,  look  at  the  lower 
valley  of  the  Mississippi,  which  is  capable  of  being  made  a far  greater 
Egypt.  In  our  own  state,  there  are  extensive  tracts  of  the  most  fertile 
soil,  which  are  capable  of  being  made  to  swarm  with  life.  These  are  at 
present  pestilential  swamps,  and  valueless,  because  there  is  abundance  of 
other  fertile  soil  in  more  favorable  situations,  which  demand  all  and  more 
than  all  the  labor  which  our  country  can  supply.  Are  these  regions  of  fer- 
tility to  be  abandoned  at  once  and  forever  to  the  alligator  and  tortoise — with 
here  and  there  perhaps  a miserable,  shivering,  erouehing/ree  black  savage  ? 
Does  not  the  finger  of  heaven  itself  seem  to  point  to  a race  of  men — not  to 
be  enslaved  by  us  but  already  enslaved,  and  who  will  be  in  every  way  bene- 
fitted  by  the  change  of  masters — to  whom  such  climate  is  not  uncongenial, 
who  though  disposed  to  indolence  are  yet  patient  and  capable  of  labor,  on 
whose  whole  features,  mind  and  character,  nature  has  indelibly  written — 
slave  and  indicate  that  we  should  avail  purselves  of  these  in  fulfilling 
the  first  great  command  to  subdue  and  replenish  the  earth. 

It  is  true  that  this  labor  will  be  dearer  than  that  of  northern  countries, 
where  under  the  name  of  freedom,  they  obtain  cheaper  and  perhaps  better 
slaves.  Yet  it  is  the  best  we  can  have,  and  this  too  has  its  compensation. 
We  see  it  compensated  at  present  by  the  superior  value  of  our  agricultural 
products.  And  this  superior  value  they  must  probably  always  have.  The 
Southern  climate  admits  of  a greater  variety  of  productions.  Whatever  is 
produced  in  Northern  climates,  the  same  thing,  or  something  equivalent,  may 
be  produced  in  the  Southern.  Rut  the  Northern  have  no  equivalent  for 
the  products  of  Southern  climates.  The  consequence  will  be,  that  the  pro- 
ducts of  Southern  regions  will  be  demanded  all  over  the  civilized  world- 


576 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  agricultural  products  of  Northern  regions  are  chiefly  for  their  own  con- 
sumption.  They  must  therefore  apply  themselves  to  the  manufacturing  of 
articles  of  luxuiy,  elegance,  convenience  or  necessity, — which  requires  cheap 
labor — for  the  purpose  of  exchanging  them  with  their  Southern  neighbors. 
Thus  nature  herself  indicates  that  agriculture  should  be  the  predominating 
employment  in  Southern  countries,  and  manufaqtures  in  Northern.  Com- 
merce is  necessary  to  both — but  less  indispensable  to  the  Southern,  which 
produce  within  themselves  a greater  variety  of  things  desirable  to  life. 
They  will  therefore  have  somewhat  less  of  the  commercial  spirit.  We  must 
avail  ourselves  of  such  labor  as  we  can  command.  The  slave  must  labor 
and  is  inured  to  it ; while  the  necessity  of  energy  in  his  government,  of 
watchfulness,  and  of  preparation  and  power  to  suppress  insurrection,  added 
to  the  moral  force  derived  from  the  habit  of  command,  may  help  to  prevent 
the  degeneracy  of  the  master. 

The  task  of  keeping  down  insurrection  is  commonly  supposed,  by  those 
who  are  strangers  to  our  institutions,  to  be  a very  formidable  one.  Even 
among  ourselves  ; accustomed  as  we  have  been  to  take  our  opinions  on  this 
as  on  every  other  subject,  ready  formed  from  those  whom  we  regarded  as 
instructors,  in  the  teeth  of  our  own  observation  and  experience,  fears  have 
been  entertained  which  are  absolutely  ludicrous.  Wfe  have  been  supposed  to 
be  nightly  reposing  over  a mine,  which  may  at  any  instant  explode  to  our 
destruction.  The  first  thought  of  a foreigner  sojourning  in  one  of  our  cities, 
who  is  awakened  by  any  nightly  alarm,  is  of  servile  insurrection  and  massacre. 
Yet  if  any  thing  is  certain  in  human  affairs,  it  is  certain  trom  the  most  ob- 
vious considerations,  that  we  are  more  secure  in  this  respect  than  any  civil- 
ized and  fully  peopled  society  upon  the  lace  of  the  earth.  In  every  such 
society,  there  is  a much  larger  proportion  than  whh  us,  of  persons  who  have 
more  to  gain  than  to  lose  by  the  overthrow  of  government,  and  the  embroil- 
ing of  social  order.  It  is  in  such  a state  of  things  that  those  who  were  be- 
fore at  the  bottom  of  society,  rise  to  the  surface.  From  causes  already  con- 
sidered, they  are  peculiarly  apt  to  consider  their  sufferings  the  result  of  in- 
justice and  misgovernment,  and  to  be  rancorous  and  embittered  accordingly. 
They  have  every  excitement  therefore  of  resentful  passion,  and  every  temp- 
tation which  the  hope  of  increased  opulence,  or  power  or  consideration  can 
hold  out,  to  urge  them  to  innovation  and  revolt.  Supposing  the  same  dispo- 
sition  to  exist  in  equal  degree  among  pur  slaves,  what  are  their  comparative 
means  or  prospect  of  gratifying  it  ? The  poor  of  other  countries  are  called 
free.  They  have,  at  least,  no  one  interested  to  exercise  a daily  and  nightly 
superintendence  and  control  over  their  conduct  and  actions.  Emissaries  of 
their  class  may  tarverse,  unchecked,  every  portion  of  the  country,  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  insurrection.  From  their  greater  intelligence,  they 
have  greater  means  of  communicating  with  each  other.  They  may  procure 


PROCEEDINGS. 


377 


and  secrete  arms.  It  is  not  alone  the  ignorant,  or  those  who  are  commonly 
called  the  poor,  that  will  be  tempted  to  revolution.  There  will  be  many 
disappointed  men  and  men  of  desperate  fortune — men  perhaps  of  talent  and 
daring — to  combine  them  and  direct  their  energies.  Even  those  in  the 
higher  ranks  of  society  who  contemplate  no  such  result,  will  contribute  to 
it,  by  declaiming  on  their  hardships  and  rights. 

With  us,  it  is  almost  physically  impossible,  that  there  should  be  any  very 
extensive  combination  among  the  slaves.  It  is  absolutely  itnpo  sible  that 
they  should  procure  and  conceal  efficient  arms.  Their  emissaries  travers- 
ing the  country,  would  car-y  their  commission  on  their  foreheads.  If  we 
suppose  among  them  an  individual  of  sufficient  talent  and  energy  to  qualify 
him  for  a revolutionary  leader,  he  couid  not  be  so  extensively  known  as  to 
command  the  confidence,  which  would  be  necessary  to  enable  him  to  combine 
and  direct  them.  Of  the  class  of  freemen,  there  would  bo  no  individual  so 
poor  or  degraded  (with  the  exception  perhaps  of  here  and  there  a reckless  ar,d 
desperate  outlaw  and  felon)  who  would  not  have  much  to  lose  by  the  success  of 
such  an  attempt  ; every  one  therefore  would  be  vigilant  and  active  to  detect 
and  suppress  it.  Of  all  impossible  things,  one  of  the  most  impossible  would 
be  a successful  insurrection  of  our  slaves,  originating  with  themselves. 

Attempts  at  insurrection  have  indeed  been  made — excited,  as  we  believe, 
by  the  agitation  of  the  abolitionists  and  declaimers  on  slavery  ; but  these 
have  been  in  every  instance  promptly  suppressed.  We  fear  not  to  compare 
the  riots,  disorder,  revolt  and  blood  shed  which  having  been  committed  in 
our  own,  with  those  of  any  other  civilized  communities,  during  the  same 
lapse  of  time.  And  let  it  be  observed  under  what  extraordinary  circum- 
stances our  peace  has  been  preserved.  For  the  last  half  century,  one  half  of 
our  population  has  been  admonished  in  terms  the  most  calculated  to  madden 
and  excite,  that  they  are  the  victims  of  the  most  grinding  and  cruel  injustice 
and  oppression.  We  know  that  these  exhortations  continually  reach  them, 
through  a thousand  channels  which  we  cannot  detect,  as  if  carried  by  the 
birds  of  the  air — and  what  human  being,  especially  when  unfavorably  dis- 
tinguished by  outward  circumstances,  is  not  ready  to  give  credit  when  he  is 
told  that  he  is  the  victim  of  injustice  and  oppression  ? In  effect,  if  not  in 
terms,  they  have  been  continually  exhorted  to  insurrection.  The  master  has 
been  painted  a criminal,  tyrant  and  robber,  justly  obnoxious  to  the  ven- 
geance of  God  and  man,  and  they  have  been  assured  of  the  countenance 
and  sympathy,  if  not  of  the  active  assistance  of  all  the  rest  of  the  world. 
We  ourselves  have  in  some  measure  pleaded  guilty  to  the  impeachment.  It 
is  not  long  since  a great  majority  of  our  free  population,  servile  to  the  opin- 
ions of  those  whose  opinions  they  laad  been  accustomed  to  follow,  would  have 
admitted  slavery  to  be  a great  evil,  unjust  and  indefensible  in  principle,  and 


378 


AGRICULTURAL 


only  to  be  vindicated  by  the  stern  necessity  which  was  imposed  upon  us. 
Thus  stimulated  by  every  motive  and  passion  which  ordinarily  actuate  hu- 
man beings — not  as  to  a criminal  entcrprize,  but  as  to  something  generous 
and  heroic — what  has  been  the  result?  A few  imbecile  and  uncombined 
plots — in  every  instance  detected  before  they  broke  out  into  action,  and  which 
perhaps  if  undetected  would  never  have  broken  into  action.  One  or  two 
sudden,  unpremeditated  attempts,  frantic  in  their  character,  if  not  prompted 
by  ectual  insanity,  and  these  instantly  crushed.  As  it  is,  we  are  not  less 
assured  of  safety,  order  and  internal  peace  than  any  other  people  ; and  but 
for  the  pertinacious  and  fanatical  agitation  of  the  subject,  would  be  much 
more  so. 

This  experience  of  security  however  should  admonish  us  of  the  folly  and 
wickedness  of  those  who  have  sometimes  taken  upon  themselves  to  super, 
sede  the  regular  course  of  law,  and  by  rash  and  violent  acts  to  punish  sup- 
posed disturbers  of  the  peace  of  society.  This  can  admit  of  no  justification 
or  palliation  whatever.  Burke,  1 think,  somewhere  remarks  something  to  this 
effect, — that  when  society  is  in -the  last  stage  of  depravity — when  all  patties 
are  alike  corrupt  and  alike  wicked  and  unjustifiable  in  their  measures  and  ob- 
jects, a good  man  may  content  himself  with  standing  neuter,  a sad  and  dis- 
heartened spectator  of  the  conflict  between  the  rival  vices.  But  are  we  in 
this  wretched  condition  ? It  is  fearful  to  see  with  what  avidity  the  worst  and 
most  dangerous  characters  of  society  seize  on  the  occasion  of  obtaining  the 
countenance  of  better  men,  for  the  purpose  of  throwing  off  the  restraints  of 
the  law.  It  is  always  these  who  are  the  most  zealous  and  forward  in  con- 
stituting themselves  the  protectors  of  the  public  peace.  To  such  men — men 
without  reputatton  or  principle  or  stake  in  society — disorder  is  the  natural 
element.  In  that,  desperate  fortunes  and  the  want  of  all  moral  principle  and 
moral  feeling  constitute  power.  They  are  eager  to  avenge  themselves  upon 
society.  Anarchy  is  not  so  much  the  absence  of  government  as  the  gov- 
ernment  of  the  worst — not  aristocracy  but  kakistocracy — a state  of  things, 
which  to  the  honor  of  our  nature,  has  seldom  obtained  amongst  men,  and 
which  perhaps  was  only  fully  exemplified  during  the  worst  times  of  the 
French  revolution,  when  that  horrid  hell  burnt  with  its  most  horrid  flame.  In 
such  a state  of  things,  to  be  accused  is  to  be  condemned — to  protect  the  inno- 
cent is  to  be  guilty  ; and  what  perhaps  is  the  worst  effect,  even  men  of  better 
nature,  to  whom  their  own  deeds  are  abhorrent,  are  goaded  by  terror  to  be 
forward  and  emulous  in  deeds  of  guilt  and  violence.  The  scenes  of  lawless 
violence  which  have  been  acted  in  some  portions  of  our  country,  rare  and 
restricted  as  they  have  been,  have  done  more  to  tarnish  its  reputation  than  a 
thousand  libels.  They  have  done  more  to  discredit,  and  if  any  thing  could, 
to  endanger,  not  only  our  domestic,  but  our  republican  institutions,  than  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


379 


abolitionists  themselves.  Men  can  never  be  permanently  and  effectually  dis- 
graced but  by  themselves,  and  rarely  endangered  but  by  their  own  injudicious 
conduct,  giving  advantage  to  the  enemy.  Better,  far  better,  would  it  be  to 
encounter  the  dangers  with  which  we  are  supposed  to  be  threatened,  than  to 
employ  such  means  for  averting  them.  But  the  truth  is,  that  in  relation  to 
this  matter,  so  far  as  respects  actual  insurrection,  when  alarm  is  once  excited, 
danger  is  absolutely  at  an  end.  Society  can  then  employ  legitimate  and  se- 
vere effectual  measures  for  its  own  protection.  The  very  commission  ot 
such  deeds,  is  proof  that  they  are  necessary.  Let  those  who  attempt  them 
then,  or  make  any  demonstration  towards  them,  understand  that  they  will 
meet  only  the  discountenance  and  abhorrence  of  all  good  men,  and  the  just 
punishment  of  the  laws  they  have  dared  to  outrage. 

It  has  commonly  been  supposed,  that  this  institution  will  prove  a source  of 
weakness  in  relation  to  military  defence  against  a foreign  enemy.  I will  ven- 
ture to  say  that  in  a slave  holding  community,  a larger  military  force  may  be 
maintained  permanently  in  the  field,  than  in  any  State  where  there  are  not 
slaves.  It  is  plain  that  almost  the  whole  of  the  able  bodied  free  male  popu- 
lation, making  half  of  the  entire  able  bodied  male  population,  may  be  main- 
tained in  the  field,  and  this  without  taking  in  any  material  degree  from  the 
labour  and  resources  of  the  country.  In  general  the  labor  of  our  country  is 
performed  by  slaves.  In  other  countries,  it  is  their  labors  that  form 
the  material  of  their  armies.  What  proportion  of  these  can  be  taken  away 
without  fatally  crippling  their  industry  and  resources?  In  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  though  the  strength  of  our  state  was  wasted  and  paralyzed  by  the 
unfortunate  divisions  which  existed  among  ourselves,  yet  it  may  be  said  with 
general  truth,  that  every  citizen  was  in  the  field  and  acquired  much  of  the 
qualities  of  the  soldier. 

It  is  true  that  this  advantage  will  be  attended  with  its  compensating  evils 
and  disadvantages  ; to  which  we  must  learn  to  submit,  if  we  are  determined 
on  the  maintenance  of  our  institutions.  We  are,  as  yet,  hardly  at  all  aware 
how  little  the  maxims  and  practices  of  modern  civilized  governments  will 
apply  to  us.  Standing  armies,  as  they  are  elsewhere  constituted,  we  cannot 
have  ; for  we  have  not,  and  for  generations  cannot  have  the  materials  out  of 
which  they  are  to  be  formed.  If  we  should  be  involved  in  serious  wars,  I 
have  no  doubt  but  that  some  sort  of  conscription,  requiring  the  services  of  all 
the  citizens  (or  a considerable  term,  will  be  necessary.  Like  the  people  of 
Athens,  it  will  be  necessary  that  every  citizen  should  be  a soldier,  and  quali. 
fied  to  discharge  efficiently  the  duties  of  a soldier.  It  may  seem  a melan- 
choly consideration,  that  an  army  so  made  up  should  be  opposed  to  the  dis- 
ciplined mercenaries  of  foreign  nations.  But  we  must  learn  to  know  our 
true  situatic  n.  But  may  we  not  hope,  that  made  up  of  superior  materials,  of 
men  having  home  and  country  to  defend  ; inspired  by  higher  pride  of  char- 


380 


AGRICULTURAL 


acter,  of  greater  intelligence  and  trained  by  an  effective,  though  honorable 
discipline,  such  an  army  will  be  more  than  a match  for  mercenaries.  The 
efficiency  of  an  army  is  determined  by  the  qualities  of  its  officers,  and  may 
vve  not  expec  to  have  a greater  proportion  of  men  better  qualified  for  officers, 
and  possessing  the  true  spirit  of  military  command.  And  let  it  be  recollected 
that  if  there  were  otherwise  reason  to  apprehend  danger  from  insurrection, 
there  will  be  the  greatest  security  when  there  is  the  largest  force  on  foot 
within  the  country.  Then  it  is  that  any  such  attempt  would  be  most  instant- 
ly and  effectually  crushed. 

And  perhaps  a wise  foresight  should  induce  our  State  to  provide,  that  it 
should  have  within  itself  such  military  knowledge  and  skill  as  may  be  suf. 
ficient  to  organize,  discipline  and  command  armies,  by  establishing  a military 
academy  or  school  of  discipline-  The  school  of  the  militia  will  not  do  for 
this.  From  the  general  opinion  of  our  weakness,  if  our  country  should  at 
any  time  come  into  hostile  collision,  we  shall  be  selected  for  the  point  of  at- 
tack ; making  us,  according  to  Mr.  Adams’  anticipation,  the  Flanders  of 
the  United  States.  Come  from  what  quarter  it  may,  the  storm  will  fall  upon 
us.  It  is  known  that  lately  when  there  was  apprehension  of  hostility  with 
France,  the  scheme  was  instantly  devised  of  invading  the  Southern  States 
and  organizing  insurrection.  In  a popular  English  periodical  work,  I have 
seen  the  plan  suggested  by  an  officer  of  high  rank  and  reputation  in  the  Brit- 
ish army,  of  invading  the  Southern  States  at  various  points  and  operating  by 
the  same  means.  He  is  said  to  be  a gallant  officer,  and  certainly  had  no 
conception  that  he  was  devising  atrocious  crime,  as  alien  to  the  true  spirit  of 
civilized  warfare,  as  the  poisoning  of  streams  and  fountains.  But  the  folly 
of  such  schemes  is  no  less  evident  than  their  wickedness.  Apart  from  the 
consideration  of  that  which  experience  has  most  fully  proved  to  be  true — 
that  in  general  their  attachment  and  fidelity  to  their  masters  is  not  to  be 
shaken,  and  that  from  sympathy  with  the  feelings  of  those  by  whom  they  are 
surrounded,  and  from  whom  they  derive  their  impressions,  they  contract  no 
less  terror  and  aversion  towards  an  invading  enemy  ; it  is  manifest  that  this 
recourse  would  be  an  hundred  fold  more  available  to  us  than  to  such  an  en- 
emy. They  are  already  in  our  possession,  and  we  might  at  will  arm  and 
organize  them  in  any  number  that  we  might  think  proper.  The  Helots  were 
a regular  constituent  part  of  the  Spartan  armies.  Thoroughly  acquainted 
with  their  characters  and  accustomed  to  command  them,  we  might  use  any 
stri  tness  of  discipline  which  would  be  necessary  to  render  them  effective, 
and  from  their  habits  of  subordination  already  formed,  this  would  be  a task 
of  less  difficulty.  Though  morally  most  timid,  they  are  by  no  means  want- 
ing in  physical  strength  of  nerve.  They  are  excitable  by  praise  ; and  direct- 
ed by  those  in  whom  they  have  confidence,  would  rush  fearlessly  and  unques- 
tioning upon  any  sort  of  danger.  With  white  officers  and  accompanied  by  a 


PROCEEDINGS.  881 

strong  white  cavalry,  there  are  no  troops  in  the  world  from  whom  there  would 
be  so  little  reason  to  apprehend  insubordination  or  mutiny. 

This  I admit  might  be  a dangerous  resource,  and  one  not  to  be  resorted  to 
but  in  great  extremity.  But  I am  supposing  the  case  of  our  being  driven  to 
extremity.  It  might  be  dangerous  to  disband  such  an  army,  and  reduce 
them  with  the  habits  of  soldiers,  to  their  former  condition  of  laborers.  It 
might  be  found  necessary,  when  once  embodied  to  keep  them  so,  and  subject 
to  military  discipline-^a  permanent  standing  army.  This  in  time  of  peace 
would  be  expensive,  if  not  dangerous.  Or  if  at  any  time  we  should  be  en- 
gaged in  hostilities  with  our  neighbors,  and  it  were  thought  advisable  to  send 
such  an  army  abroad  to  conquer  settlements  for  themselves,  the  invaded 
regions  might  have  occasion  to  think  th  it  the  scourge  of  God  was  again  let 
loose  to  nffl  ct  the  earth. 

President  Dew  has  very  fully  shown  how  utterly  vain  are  the  fears  of 
those,  who  though  there  may  be  no  danger  for  the  present,  yet  apprehend 
great  danger  for  the  future,  when  the  number  of  slaves  shall  be  greatly 
increased.  He  has  shown  that  the  large  and  more  condensed  the  society 
becomes,  the  easier  it  will  bo  to  maintain  subordination,  suppo.-ing  the  rela. 
tive  numbers  of  the  different  classes  to  remain  the  same — -or  even  if  there 
should  be  a very  disproportionate  increase  of  the  enslaved  class.  Of  all  vain 
things,  the  vainest  and  that  in  which  man  most  shows  his  impotence  and 
folly,  is  the  taking  upon  himself  to  provide  for  a very  distant  future—at  all 
events  by  any  material  sacrifice  of  the  present.  Though  experience  has 
shown  that  revolutions  and  political  movements— unless  when  they  have  been 
conducted  with  the  most  guarded  caution  and  moderation. -have  generally 
•terminated  in  results  just  the  opposite  of  what  was  expected  from  them,  the 
angry  ape  will  still  play  his  fantastic  tricks,  and  put  in  motion  machinery, 
the  action  of  which  he  no  more  comprehends  or  foresees  than  he  compre* 
hends  the  mysteries  of  infinity.  The  insect  that  is  borne  upon  the  current, 
will  fancy  that  he  directs  its  course.  Besides  the  fear  of  insurrection  and 
servile  war,  there  is  also  alarm  lest  when  their  numbers  shall  be  greatly  in- 
creased,  their  labor  will  become  utterly  unprofitable,  so  that  it  will  be  equally 
difficult  for  the  master  to  retain  and  support  them,  or  to  get  rid  of  them.  Bui 
at  what  age  of  the  world  is  this  likely  to  happen  1 At  present,  it  may  be 
said  that  almost  the  whole  of  the  Southern  portion  of  this  continent  is  to  be 
subdued  to  cultivation  ; and  in  the  order  of  providence,  this  is  the  task  allot- 
ted  to  them.  For  this  purpose,  more  labour  will  be  required  for  generations 
to  come  than  they  will  be  able  to  supply.  When  that  task  is  accomplished, 
there  will  be  many  objects  to  which  their  labor  may  be  directed. 

At  present  they  are  employed  in  accumulating  individual  wealth,  and  this 
in  one  way,  to  Wit,  as  agricultural  labourers— and  this  is  perhaps  the  most 
useful  purpose  to  which  their  labor  can  be  applied.  The  effect  of  slavery  has 


382 


AGRICULTURAL 


not  been  to  counteract  the  tendency  to  dispersion,  which  seems  epidemical 
among  our  countrymen,  invited  by  the  unbounded  extent  of  fertile  and  unex- 
hausted soil,  though  it  counteracts  many  of  the  evils  of  dispersion.  All  the 
customary  trades,  professions  and  employments,  except  the  agricultural, 
require  a condensed  population  for  their  profitable  exercise.  The  agricul- 
turist who  can  command  no  labor  but  that  of  his  own  hands  or  that  of  his 
family,  must  remain  comparatively  poor  and  rude.  He  who  acquires  wealth 
by  the  labor  of  slaves,  has  the  means  of  improvement  for  himself  and  his 
children.  He  may  have  a more  extended  intercourse,  and  consequently 
means  of  information  and  refinement,  and  may  seek  education  for  his  chil- 
dren  where  it  may  he  found.  I say,  what  is  obviously  true,  that  he  has  the 
means  of  obtaining  those  advantages  ; but  1 say  nothing  to  palliate  or  excuse 
the  conduct  of  him,  who  having  such  means  neglects  to  avail  himself  of 
them. 

1 believe  it  to  be  true,  that  in  consequence  of  our  dispersion,  though  indi- 
vidual wealth  is  acquired,  the  face  of  the  country  is  less  adorned  and  im- 
proved  by  useful  and  ornamental  public  works,  than  in  other  societies  of 
more  condensed  population,  where  there  is  less  wealth.  But  this  is  an  effect 
of  that,  which  constitutes  perhaps  our  most  conspicuous  advantage.  Where 
population  is  condensed,  they  must  have  the  evils  of  condensed  population, 
and  among  these  is  the  difficulty  of  finding  profitable  employment  for  capital. 
He  who  has  accumulated  even  an  inconsiderable  sum,  is  often  puzzled  to 
know  what  use  to  make  of  it.  Ingenuity  is  therefore  tasked  to  cast  about 
for  every  enterprise  which  may  afford  a chance  of  profitable  investment. 
Works  useful  and  ornamental  to  the  country,  are  thus  undertaken  and  ac- 
complished, and  though  the  proprietors  may  fail  of  profit,  the  community  no 
less  receives  the  benefit.  Among  us,  there  is  no  such  difficulty.  A safe 
and  profitable  method  of  investment  is  offered  to  everyone  who  has  capital 
dispose  of,  which  is  further  recommended  to  his  feelings  by  the  sense  of  inde- 
pendence and  the  comparative  leisure,  which  the  employment  affords  to  the 
proprietor  engaged  in  it.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  few  of  our  citizens  en- 
gage in  ihe  pursuits  of  commerce.  Though  these  maybe  more  profitable, 
they  are  also  more  hazardous  and  more  laborious. 

When  the  demand  for  agricultural  labor  shall  be  fully  supplied,  then  of 
course  the  labour  of  slaves  will  be  directed  to  other  employments  and  enter- 
prises. Already  it  begins  to  be  found,  that  in  some  instances  it  may  be  used 
as  profitably  in  works  of  public  improvement.  As  it  becomes  cheaper  and 
cheaper,  it  will  be  applied  to  more  various  purposes  and  combined  in  larger 
masses.  It  may  be  commanded  and  combined  with  more  facility  than  any 
other  sort  of  labour ; and  the  labourer,  kept  in  stricter  subordination,  will  be 
less  dangerous  to  the  security  of  society  than  in  any  other  country,  which 


PROCEEDINGS* 


833 


Is  crowded  and  overstocked  with  a class  of  what  are  called  free  labourers. 
Let  it  be  remembered  that  all  the  great  and  enduring  monuments  of  human 
art  and  industry-=*the  wonders  of  Egypt—=the  everlasting  works  of  Rome— 
were  created  by  the  labor  of  slaves.  There  will  come  a stage  in  our  pro- 
gress  when  we  shall  have  futilities  for  executing  works  as  great  as  any  of 
these-“»more  useful  than  the  pyrumids-=not  less  magnificent  than  the  Meotic 
sea.  What  the  end  of  all  is  to  be  ; what  mutations  lie  hid  in  the  womb  i.f 
the  distant  future  j to  what  convulsions  our  societies  may  be  exposed—wheth* 
er  the  master,  finding  it  impossible  to  live  with  his  slaves,  may  not  be  con:* 
polled  to  abandon  the  country  to  them^of  all  this  it  Were  presumptuous  and 
vain  to  speculate, 

I have  hitherto,  as  1 proposed,  considered  it  as  a naked,  abstract  question 
Of  the  comparative  good  and  evil  of  the  Institution  of  slavery.  Very  far 
different  indeed  is  the  practical  question  presented  to  Its,  when  it  is  proposed 
to  get  rid  of  an  Institution  Which  has  interwoven  itself  With  every  fibre  of  the 
body  politic  } which  has  formed  the  habits.  aLour. society,  and  is  consecrated 
by  the  usage  of  generations.  If  this  be  not  a vicious  prescription,  which  the 
laws  of  God  forbid  to  ripen  into  right,  it  has  a jtlst  claim  to  be  respected  by 
all  tribunals  of  man.  If  the  negroes  Were  now  free  and  it  were  proposed 
to  enslave  them,  then  it  would  be  incumbent  on  those  who  proposed  the 
measure  to  show  clearly  that  their  liberty  was  incompatible  with  the  public 
security.  When  it  is  proposed  to  innovate  on  the  established  state  of  things, 
the  burden  is  on  those  who  propose  the  innovation,  to  show  that  advantage 
Will  be  gained  front  it.  There  is  no  reform,  however  necessary,  wholesome 
or  moderate,  which  will  not  be  accompanied  with  some  degree  of  iuconvon* 
ience,  risque  or  suffering.  Those  who  acquiesce  In  the  state  of  things  which 
they  found  existing,  can  hardly  be  thought  criminal.  But  most  deeply  crirnh 
nal  are  they  who  give  rise  to  the  enormous  evil  with  which  great  revolutions 
in  society  are  always  attended,  without  the  fullest  assurance  of  the  greater 
good  to  be  ultimately  obtained.  But  if  it  can  be  made  to  appear,  even 
probably,  that  no  good  will  be  obtained,  but  that  the  results  will  be  evil  and 
calamitous  as  the  process,  what  can  justify  such  innovations?  No  human 
being  can  be  So  mischievoUs-=df  acting  consciously,  none  can  l e so  wicked 
as  those  who  finding  evil  in  existing  institutions,  rush  blindly  upon  change. 
Unforeseeing  and  reckless  of  consequences,  and  leaving  it  to  chance  or  fate 
to  determine  whether  the  end  shall  be  improvement,  or  greater  and  more 
intolerable  evil.  Certainly  the  instincts  of  nature  prompt  to  resist  intoler- 
able oppression.  For  this  reswtance  no  rule  can  be  prescribed,  but  it  must 
be  left  to  the  instincts  of  nature.  To  justify  it  however,  the  insurrectionists 
should  at  least  have  a reasonable  probability  of  success,  and  be  assured  that 
their  condition  will  be  improved  by  success.  But  most  extraordinary  is  it, 
when  those  who  complain  and  clamor,  are  not  those  who  are  supposed  to  feel 


384 


AGRICULTURAL 


the  oppression,  but  persons  at  a distance  from  them,  and  who  Call  hardly  at 
ail  appreciate  the  good  or  evil  of  their  situation.  It  is  the  unalterable  con* 
dition  of  humanity,  that  men  must  achieve  civil  liberty  for  themselves.  The 
assistance  of  allies  has  sometimes  enabled  nations  to  repel  the  attacks  of  for- 
eign power  ; never  to  conquer  liberty  as  against  their  own  internal  govern* 
rnent. 

In  one  thing  I concur  with  the  abolitionists  ; that  if  emancipation  is  to  be 
brought  about,  it  is  better  that  it  should  be  immediate  and  total.  But  let  us 
suppose  it  to  be  brought  about  in  any  manner,  and  then  enquire  what  Would 
be  the  effects. 

The  first  and  most  obvious  effect,  would  be  to  put  an  end  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  our  great  southern  staple.  And  this  would  be  equally  the  result,  if 
we  suppose  the  emancipated  negroes  to  be  in  no  way  distinguished  from  the 
laborers  of  other  countries,  and  that  their  labour  would  be  equally  effective. 
In  that  case,  they  would  soon  cease  to  be  laborers  for  hire,  but  would  scatter 
themselves  over  our  unbounded  territory,  to  become  independent  land  owners 
themselves.  The  cultivation  of  the  soil  on  an  extensive  scale,  can  only  be 
carried  on  where  there  are  slaves,  or  in  Countries  superabounding  with  free 
labour.  No  such  operations  are  carried  on  in  any  portions  of  our  own 
country  where  there  are  not  slaves.  Such  are  carried  on  in  Bn. land,  where 
there  is  an  overflowing  population  and  intense  competition  for  employment. 
And  our  institutions  seem  suited  to  the  exigencies  of  our  respective  situations, 
There,  a much  greater  number  of  laborers  is  required  at  one  season  of  the 
year  than  at  another,  and  the  Farmer  may  enlarge  or  diminish  the  quantity  of 
labor  he  employs,  as  circumstances  may  require.  Here,  about  the  same 
quantity  of  labour  is  required  at  every  season,  and  the  planter  suffers  no 
inconvenience  from  retaining  his  laborers  throughout  the  year.  Imagine  an 
extensive  rice  or  cotton  plantation  cultivated  by  free  laborers,  who  might  per* 
haps  strike  for  an  increase  of  wages,  at  a season  when  the  neglect  of  a few 
days  would  insure  the  destruction  of  the  whole  crop.  Even  if  it  were  pos- 
sible to  procure  laborers  at  all,  what  planter  would  venture  to  carry  on  hia 
opeiations  undi  r such  circumstances?  I need  hardly  say  that  these  staples 
cannot  be  produced  to  any  extent  where  the  proprietor  of  the  soil  cultivates  it 
with  his  own  hands.  He  can  do  little  more  than  produce  the  necessary  food 
for  himself  and  his  family. 

And  what  would  be  the  effect  of  putting  an  end  to  the  cultivation  of  these 
staples,  and  thus  annihilating  at  a blow,  two  thirds  or  three  fourths  of  our 
foreign  commerce  ? Can  any  sane  mind  contemplate  such  a result  without 
terror?  1 speak  not  of  the  utter  poverty  and  misery  to  which  we  ourselves 
would  be  reduced,  and  the  desolation  which  would  overspread  our  own  por- 
tion of  the  country.  Our  slavery  has  not  only  given  existence  to  millions  of 


Proceedings. 


slaves  within  our  o->vn  territories,  it  has  given  the  means  of  subsistence  and 
therefore  existence,  to  millions  of  freemen  in  our  confederate  States  t en- 
abling them  to  send  forth  their  swarms,  to  overspread  the  plains  and  forests 
of  the  West  and  appear  as  the  harbingers  of  civilization.  The  products  of 
the  industry  of  these  States  are  in  general  similar  to  those  of  the  civilized 
world,  and  are  little  demanded  m their  markets.  By  exchanging  them  for 
ours,  which  are  every  where  sought  for,  the  people  of  these  States  are  en- 
abled to  acquire  all  the  products  of  art  and  industry,  all  that  contributes  to 
convenience  or  luxury,  or  gratifies  the  taste  or  the  intellect,  which  the  rest  of 
the  world  can  supply.  Not  only  on  our  own  continent,  but  on  the  other,  it 
has  given  existence  to  bund  reds  of  thousands,  and  the  means  of  comfortable 
subsistence  to  millions.  A distinguished  citi-zen  of  our  own  state,  than  whom 
none  can  be  better  qualified  to  form  an  opinion,  has  lately  stated  that  our 
great  staple,  cotton,  has  contributed  more  than  any  thing  else  of  later  times 
to  the  progress  of  civilization.  By  enabling  the  poor  to  obtain  cheap  and 
becoming  clothing,  it  has  inspired  a taste  for  comfort,  the  first  stimulus  to 
civilization.  Does  not  self  defence  then  demand  of  us,  steadily  to  resist  the 
abrogation  of  that  which  is  productive  of  sc  much  good  ? It  is  more  than 
self  defence.  It  is  to  defend  millions  of  human  beings,  who  are  far  removed 
from  us,  from  the  intensest  suffering,  if  not  from  being  struck  out  of  existence. 
It  is  the  defence  of  human  civilization. 

But  this  is  but  a small  part  of  the  evil  which  would  be  occasioned.  After 
President  Dew,  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  a single  word  on  t-lie  practicability  of 
colonizing  our  slaves.  The  two  races,  so  widely  separated  from  each  other 
by  the  impress  of  nature,  must  remain  together  in  the  same  country. 
Whether  it  be  accounted  the  result  of  prejudice  or  reason,  it  is  certain  that 
the  two  races  will  not  be  blended  together  so  as  to  form  a homogenous  popu- 
lation. To  one  who  knows  any  thing  of  the  nature  of  man  and  human 
society,  it  would  be  unnecessary  to  argue  that  this  state  of  things  cannot  con- 
tinue ; but  that  one  race  must  be  driven  out  by  the  other,  or  exterminated, 
■or  again  enslaved.  I have  argued  on  the  supposition  that  the  emancipated 
negroes  would  be  as  efficient  as  other  free  laborers.  But  whatever  theor- 
ists,  who  know  nothing  of  the  matter,  may  think  proper  to  assume,  we  well 
know  that  this  would  not  be  so.  We  know  that  nothing  but  the  coercion  of 
slavery  can  overcome  their  propensity  to  indolence,  and  that  not  one  in  ten 
would  be  an  efficient  laborer.  Even  if  this  disposition  v/ere  not  grounded  in  their 
nature,  it  would  be  a result  of  their  position.  I have  somewhere  seen  it  oh- 
served,  that  to  be  degraded  by  opinion,  is  a thousand  fold  worse,  so  far  as  the 
feelings  of  the  individual  are  concerned,  than  to  be  degraded  by  the  laws. 
They  would  be  thus  degraded,  and  this  feeling  is  incompatible  with  habits  of 
order  and  industry.  Half  our  population  would  at  once  be  paupers.  Let  an 
inhabitant  of  New  York  cm-  Philadelphia  conceive  of  the  situation  of  their 
25 


AGRICULTURAL 


respective  Slates,  if  one  Sialf  of  their  population  consisted  of  free  negroe?. 
The  tie  which  now  connects  them  being  broken,  the  different  races  would  be 
estranged  from  each  other,  and  hostility  would  grow  up  between  them.  Hav- 
ing the  command  of  their  own  time  and  actions,  they  could  more  effectually 
combine  insurrection  and  provide  the  means  of  rendering  it  formidable.  Re- 
leased from  the  vigilant  superintendence  which  now  restrains  them,  they 
would  infallibly  be  led  from  petty  to  greater  crimes,  until  all  life  and  property 
would  be  rendered  insecure.  Aggression  would  beget  retaliation,  until  open 
war — and  that  a war  of  extermination  were  established.  From  the  still 
remaining  superiority  of  the  white  race,  it  is  probable  that  they  would  be 
the  victors,  and  if  they  did  not  exterminate,  they  must  again  reduce  the 
others  Jo  slavery— when  they  could  be  no  longer  fit  to  be  either  slaves  or 
freemen.  It  is  not  only  in  self  defence,  in  defence  of  our  country  and  of 
all  that  is  dear  to  us,  but  in  defence  of  the  slaves  themselves  that  wc  refuse 
to  t emancipate  them. 

If  we  suppose  them  to  have  political  privileges,  and  to  be  admitted  to  tbe 
elective  franchise,  still  worse  results  may  be  expected.  It  is  hardly  necessa- 
ry  to  add  any  tiling  to  what  has  been  said  by  Mr.  Paulding  on  this  subject,* 
who  has  treated  it  fully.  St  is  already  known,  that  if  there  be  a class  un- 
favorably distinguished  by  any  peculiarity  from  tire  rest  cf  society,  this  dis- 
tinction forms  a tie  which  binds  them  to  act  in  concert,  and  they  exercise 
more  than  their  due  share  of  political  power  and  influence— and  still  more? 
as  they  are  of  inferior  character  and  looser  moral  principle.  Such  a class* 
form  the  very  material  for  demagogues  to  work  with.  Other  parties  court 
them  and  concede  to  them.  So  it  would  be  with  the  free  blacks  in  the  case 
supposed.  They  would  be  u.->ed  by  unprincipled  politicians,  of  irregular  am- 
bition, for  the  advancement  of  their  schemes,  until  they  should  give  them 
political  power  and  importance  beyond  even  their  own  intentions.  They 
would  be  courted  by  excited  parties  in  their  contests  wnh  each  other.  At 
some  time,  they  may  perhaps  attain  political  ascendency,  and  this  is  more 
probable,  as  we  may  suppose  that  there  will  have  been  a great  emigration  of 
whifes  from  the  country.  Imagine  the  goveri  ment  of  such  legislators. 
Imagine  then  the  sort  of  laws  that  will  be  passed,  to  confound  the  invidious- 
distinction  whicH  has  been  so  long  assumed  over  them,  and  if  possible  to 
obliterate  the  every  memory  of  it.  These  will  be  resisted.  The  blacks 
will  be  tempted  to  avenge  themselves  by  oppression  and  proscription  of  the 
white  race,  for  their  long  superiority.  Thus  matters  will  go  on,  until  uni- 
versal anarchy,  or  kakistocracy,  the  government  of  the  worst,  is  fully  estab- 
lislied.  I am  persuaded  that  if  the  spirit  of  evil  should  devise  to  send  abroad 
upon  the  earth  all  possible  misery,  discord,  horror  and  atrocity,  he  cottid  con- 
trive no  scheme  so  effectual  as  the  emancipation  of  negro  slaves  within  our 
country. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


387 


The  most  feasible  scheme  of  emancipation,  and  that  which  I verily  believe 
would  involve  the  least  danger  and  sacrifice,  would  be  that  the  entire  white 
population  should  emigrate,  and  abandon  the  country  to  their  slaves.  Here 
would  be  triumph  to  philanthrophy.  This  wide  and  fertile  region  would  be 
again  restored  to  ancient  barbarism — to  the  worst  of  all  barbarism — barba- 
rism  corrupted  and  depraved  by  intercourse  with  civilization.  And  this  is 
the  consummation  to  be  wished,  upon  a speculation,  that  in  some  distant  future 
age,  they  may  become  so  enlightened  and  improved,  as  to  be  capable  of  sus- 
taining a position  among  the  civilized  races  of  the  earth.  But  I believe  mor- 
alists allow  men  to  defend  their  homes  and  their  country,  even  at  theexpense- 
of  the  lives  and  liberties  of  others. 

Will  any  philanthropist  say  that  the  evils,  of  which  I have  spoken,  would) 
be  brought  about  only  by  the  obduracy,  prejudices  and  overweanining  self-es- 
timation of  the  whites  in  refusing  to  blend  the  races  by  marriage,  and  so  cre- 
ate a homogenous  population.  But  what  if  it  be  not  prejudice,  but  truth,  and! 
nature,  and  right  reason,  and  just  moral  feeling?  As  I have  before  said,, 
throughout  the  whole  of  nature,  like  attracts  like,  and  that  which  is  unlike- 
repels.  What  is  it  that  makes  so  unspeakably  loathsome,  crimes  n.>t  to  be- 
named,  and  hardly  alluded  to  ? Even  among  the  nations  of  Europe,  so  nearly 
homogenous,  there  are  some  peculiarities  of  form  and  feature,  mind  andi 
character,  which  may  be  generally  distinguished  by  those  accustomed  to  ob- 
serve them.  Though  the  exceptions  are  numerous,  I will  venture  to  say  thati 
not  in  one  instance  in  a hundred,  is  the  man  of  souud  and  unsophisticated 
tastes  and  propensities  so  likely  to  be  attracted  by  the  female  of  a foreign; 
stock,  as  by  one  of  his  own,  who  is  more  nearly  conformed  to  himself. 
Shakspeare  spoke  the  language  of  nature,  when  he  made  the  Senate  and  peo- 
ple of  Venice  attribute  to  the  effect  of  witchcraft,  Desdemona’s  passion  for 
Othello — though,  as  Coleridge  has  said,  we  are  to  conceive  of  him  not  as  a 
negro,  but  as  a high  bred,  Moorish  Chief. 

If  the  negro  race,  as  I have  contended,  be  inferior  to-  our  own  in  mind  andi 
character,  marked  by  inferiority  of  form  and  features,,  then  ours  would  suffer 
deterioration  from  such  intermixture.  What  would  be  thought  of  the  moral 
conduct  of  the  parent  who  should  voluntarily  transmit  disease,  or  fatuity,  or 
deformity  to  his  offspring?  If  man  be  the  most  perfect  work  of  his  Creator,, 
and  the  civilized  European  man  the  most  perfect  variety  of  the  human  race,, 
is  he  not  criminal  who  would  desecrate  and  deface  God’s  fairest  work;,  estrang,- 
ing  it  further  from  the  image  himself,  and  conforming  it  more  nearly  to  that 
of  the  brute.  I have  heard  it  said,  as  if  it  afforded  an  argument,  that  the 
African  is  as  well  satisfied  of  the  superiority  of  his  own  complexion,  form  andi 
features,  as  we  can  be  of  ours.  If  this  were  true,  as  it  is  not,  would  any 
one  be  so  recreant  to  his  own  civilization,  as  to  say  that  his  opinion  ought  to- 
weigh  against  ours — that  there  is  no  universal  standard  of  truth  and  grace- 


388 


AGRICULTURAL 


and  beau  y — that  the  Hottentot  Venus  may  perchance  possess  as  great  per- 
fection of  form  as  the  Mccliceari  ? It  is  true,  the  licentious  passions  of  men 
■overcome  the  natural  repugnance,  and  find  transient  gratification  in  inter- 
course with  females  of  the  other  race.  But  this  is  a very  different  thing  from 
making  her  the  associate  of  life,  the  companion  of  the  bosom  and  the  hearth. 
Him  who  would  contemplate  such  an  alliance  for  himself,  or  regard  it  with 
'patience,  when  proposed  for  a son  or  daughter  or  sister,  we  should  esteem  a 
degraded  wretch — with  justice,  certainly,  if  he  were  found  among  ourselves— 
and  the  estimate  would  not  be  very  different  if  he  were  found  in  Europe.  It 
is  not  only  in  defence  of  ourselves,  of  our  country  and  of  our  own  genera- 
tion. that  we  refuse  to  emancipate  our  slaves,  but  to  defend  our  posterity  and 
race  from  degeneracy  and  degradation. 

Are  we  not  justified  then  in  regarding  as  criminals,  the  fanatical  agitators 
whose  efforts  are  intended  to  bring  about  the  evils  I harve  described.  It  is 
-sometimes  said  that  their  zeal  is  generous  and  disinterested,  and  that  their 
motives  may  be  praised,  though  their  conduct  be  condemned.  But  I have  little 
faith  in  the  good  motives  of  those  who  pursue  bad  ends.  It  is  not  for  us  to 
scrutinize  the  hearts  of  men,  and  we  can  only  judge  of  them  by  the  tendency 
of  their  actions.  Th<  re  is  much  truth  in  what  was  said  by  Coleridge.  “ I 
have  never  known  a trader  in  philanthropy  who  was  not  wrong  at  heart  some- 
how or  other.  Individuals  so  distinguished,  are  usually  unhappy  in  their 
family  relations — men  not  benevolent  or  beneficent  to  individuals,  but  almost 
hostile  to  them,  yet  lavishing  money  and  labor  and  lime  on  the  race — the  ab- 
stract notion.”  The  prevalent  love  of  notoriety  actuates  some.  There  is 
much  luxury  in  sentiment,  especially  if  it  can  be  indulged  at  the  expense  of 
others,  and  if  there  be  added  some  share  of  envy  or  malignity,  the  temptation 
to  indulgence  is  almost  irresistible.  But  certainly  they  may  be  justly  regard- 
ed as  criminal,  who  obstinately  shut  their  eyes  and  close  their  ears  to  all 
instruction  with  resptet  to  the  true  nature  of  their  actions. 

It  must  be  manifest  to  every  man  of  sane  mind,  that  it  is  impossible  for 
them  to  achieve  ultimate  success;  even  if  every  individual  in  our  country,  out 
of  the  limits  of  the  slaveholding  States,  were  united  in  their  purposes.  They 
■cannot  have  even  the  miserable  triumph  of  St  Domingo— of  advancing 
through  scenes  of  atrocity,  blood  and  massacre,  to  the  restoration  of  bar- 
barism. They  may  agitate  and  perplex  the  world  for  a time.  They  may 
■excite  to  desperate  attempts  and  particular  acts  of  cruelty  and  horror,  but 
I(hese  will  always  be  suppressed  or  avenged  at  the  expense  of  the  objects  of 
their  truculent  philanthropy.  But  short  of  this,  they  can  hardly  be  aware  of 
the  extent  of  the  mischief  they  perpetrate.  As  I have  said,  their  opinions,  by 
means  to  us  inscrutable,  do  very  generally  reach  our  slave  population.  What 
human  being,  if  unfavorably  distinguished  by  outward  circumstances,  is  not 
ready  to  believe  when  he  is  told  that  he  is  the  victim  of  injustice?  Is  it  not 


PROCEEDINGS. 


389 


cruelty  to  make  men  restless  and  dissatisfied  in  their  condition,  when  no 
effort  of  theirs  can  alter  it?  The  greatest  injury  is  done  to  their  characters, 
as  well  as  to  their  happiness.  Even  if  no  such  feelings  or  designs  should  be 
entertained  or  conceived  by  the  slave,  they  will  be  attributed  to  him  by  the 
master,  and  all  his  conduct  scanned  with  a severe  and  jealous  scrutiny- 
Thus  distrust  and  aversion  are  established,  where,  but  for  mischievous  inter- 
ference, there  would  be  confidence  and  good  will,  and  a ster.  er  control  is 
exercised  over  the  slave  who  thus  becomes  the  victim  of  his  cruel  advocates. 

An  effect  is  sometimes  proJuced  on  the  minds  of  slave  holders,  by  the  pub- 
lications  of  the  self-styled  philanthropists,  and  their  judgments  staggered  and 
consciences  alarmed.  It  is  natural  that  the  oppressed  should  hate  the  oppres- 
sor. It  is  still  more  natural  that  the  oppressor  should  hate  his  victim.  Con- 
vince the  master  that  he  is  doing  injustice  to  his  slave,  and  he  at  once  begins 
to  regard  him  with  distrust  and  malignity.  It  is  a part  of  the  constitution  of 
the  human  mind,  that  when  circumstances  of  necessity  or  temptation  induce 
men  to  continue  ir.  the  practice  of  what  they  believe  to  be  wrong,  they  become 
desperate  and  reckless  of  the  degree  of  wrong.  I have  formerly  heard  of  a 
master  who  accounted  for  his  practising  much  severity  upon  his  slaves,  and. 
exacting  from  them  an  unusual  degree  of  labor,  by  saying  that  the  thing  ((.sla- 
very) was  altogether  wrong,  and  therefore  it  was  well  to  make  the  greatest? 
possible  advantage  out  of  it.  This  agitation  occasions  some  slave  holders  to 
hang  more  loosely  on  their  country.  Regarding  the  institution  as  of  ques- 
tionable character,  condemned  by  the  general  opinion  of  the  world,  and  one 
which  must  shortly  come  to  an  end,  they  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
make  their  escape  from  the  evil  which  they  anticipate.  Some  sell  their  slaves 
to  new  masters  (always  a misfortune  to  the  slave)  and  remove  themselves  to 
other  societies,  of  manners  and  habits  uncogenial  to  their  own.  Ajid.  though 
we  may  suppose  that  it  is  only  the  weak  and  the  timid  who  are  liable  to  be 
thus  affected,  still  it  is  no  less  an  injury  and  public  misfortune.  Society  is 
kept  in  an  unquiet  and  restless  state,  and  every  sort  of  improvement  is  re- 
tarded. 

Some  projectors  suggest  the  education  of  slaves,  with  a v.ie.v  to  prepare 
them  for  freedom — as  if  there  were  any  method  of  a man’s  being  educated  to 
freedom,  but  by  himself.  The  truth  is,  however,  that  supposing  that  they  are 
shortly  to  be  emancipated,  and  that  they  hare  the  capacities  of  any  other  race,, 
they  are  undoing  the  very  be.,t  education  which  it  is  possible- to,  give.  They 
are  in  the  course  of  being  taught  habits  of  regular  and,  patient  industry,  and 
this  is  the  first  lesson  which  is  required-  I suppose,  that  their  most  zealous, 
advocates  would  not  desire  that  they  should  be  placed  in  the  high  places  of 
society  immediately  upon  their  emancipation,  but  that  they  should  begin  their 
course  of  freedom  as  laborers,  and  raise  themselves  afterwards  as  their  capa- 
cities and  characters  might  enable  them.  But  how:  little  would  what  ar,e.- 


390 


AGRICULTURAL 


commonly  called  the  rudiments  of  education,  add  to  their  qualifications  as 
laborers?  But  for  the  agitation  which  exists  however,  their  education  would 
be  carried  further  than  this.  There  is  a constant  tendency  in  our  society  to 
extend  the  sphere  of  their  employments,  and  consequently  to  give  them  the 
information  which  is  necessary  to  the  discharge  of  those  employments.  And 
this,  for  the  most  obvious  reason,  it  promotes  the  master’s  interest.  How 
much  would  it  add  to  the  value  of  a slave,  that  he  should  be  capable  of  being 
employed  as  a clerk,  of  be  able  to  make  calculations  as  a mechanic  ? In 
consequence,  however,  of  the  fanatical  spirit  which  has  been  excited,  it  has 
been  thought  necessary  to  repress  this  tendency  by  legislation,  and  to  prevent 
their  acquiring  the  knowledge  of  which  they  might  make  a dangerous  use. 
ilf  this  spirit  were  put  down,  and  we  restored  to  the  consciousness  of  security, 
this  would  be  no  longer  necessary,  and  the  process  of  which  1 have  spoken 
'would  be  accelerated.  Whenever  indications  of  superior  capacity  appeared 
.in  a slave,  it  would  be  cultivated ; gradual  improvement  would  take  place, 
mntil  they  might  be  engaged  in  a»  various  employments  as  they  were  among 
■ the  ancients — perhaps  even  liberal  ones.  Thus,  if  in  the  adorable  providence 
of  God,  at  a time  and  in  a manner  whichswe  can  neither  foresee  nor  conjec- 
ture, they  are  to  be  rendered  capable  of  freedom  and  to  enjoy  it,  they  would 
be  prepared  for  it  in  the  best  and  most  effectual,  because  in  the  most  natural 
• andigradual  manner.  But  fanaticism  hurries  to  its  effect  at  once.  I have 
heard  it  said,  God  does  good,  but  it  is  by  imperceptible  degrees ; the  Devil  is 
ipermitted  to  do  evil,  and  he  does  it  in  a hurry.  The  beneficent  processes  of 
nature  are  not  apparent  to  the  senses.  You  cannot  see  the  plant  grow  or  the 
.flower  expand.  The  volcano,  the  earthquake  and  the  hurricane,  do  their 
work  of  desolation  in  a moment.  Such  would  be  the  desolation,  if  the 
schemes  of  fanatics  were  permitted  to  have  effect.  They  do  all  that  in  them 
lies! to  thwart  the  beneficent  purposes  of  Providence.  The  whole  tendency 
of  their  efforts  'is  to  aggravate  present  suffering  and  to  cut  of  the  chance  of 
future  improvement,  and  in  all  their  bearings  and  results,  have  produced,  and 
are  likely  to  produce,  nothing  but  “ fierce,  unmixed,  dephlegmated,  defeated 
evil.” 

If  Wilberforce  or  Clarkson  were  living,  and  it  were  enquired  of  them  “can 
you  be  sure  that  you  have  promoted  the  happiness  of  a single  human  being?” 
I imagine  that,  if  they  considered  conscientiously,  they  would  find  it  difficult 
to  answer  in  the  affirmative.  If  it  were  asked  “can  you  be  sure  that  you 
have  not  been  the  cause  of  suffering,  misery  and  death,  to  thousands,” — when 
we  recollect  that  they  probably  stimulated  the  exertions  of  the  amis  des  noirs 
in  France,  and  that  through  the  efforts  of  these,  the  horrors  of  St.  Domingo 
were  perpetrated.  I think  they  must  hesitate  long  to  return  a decided  nega- 
tive. It  might  seem  cruel,  if  we  could,  to  convince  a man  who  has  devoted 
.his  life  to  what  he  esteemed  .a^good  and  generous  purpose,  that  he  has  been 


PROCEEDINGS* 


§91 


doing  only  evil— that  he  has  been  worshipping  a horrid  fiend,  in  the  place  of 
a true  God.  But  fanaticism  is  in  no  danger  of  being  convinced.  It  is  one  of 
the  mysteries  of  nature,  and  of  the  divine  government,  how  utterly  dispro- 
portioned  to  each  other,  are  the  powers  of  doing  evil  and  of  doing  good. 
The  poorest  and  most  abject  instrument,  that  is  utterly  imbeeiie  for  any  pur- 
pose  of  good,  seems  sometimes  endowed  with  almost  the  powers  of  omnipo- 
tence  for  mischief.  A mole  may  inundate  a province— a spark  from  a forge 
may  conflagrate  a city— a whisper  may  separate  friends,  a rumor  may  con- 
vulse an  empire — but  when  we  would  do  benefit  to  our  race  or  country,  the 
purest  and  most  chastened  motives,  the  most  patient  thought  and  labor,  with 
the  humblest  self-distrust,  are  hardly  sufficient  to  assure  us  that  the  results 
may  not  disappoint  our  expectations,  and  that  we  may  not  do  evil  instead  of 
good.  But  are  we  therefore  to  refrain  from  efforts  to  benefit  onr  race  and 
country?  By  no  means:  but  these  motives,  this  labor  and  self-distrust  are 
the  only  conditions  upon  whieh  we  are  permitted  to  hope  for  success.  Very 
different  indeed  is  the  course  of  those,  whose  precipitate  and  ignorant  zeal 
would  overturn  the  fundamental  institutions  of  society,  uproot  its  peace  and 
endanger  its  security,  in  pursuit  of  a distant  and  shadowy  good,  of  which 
they  themselves  have  formed  no  definite  conception — whose  atrocious  philoso- 
phy would  sacrifice  a generation — -and  more  than  one  generation— for  any 
hypothesis* 


f 

. 

. 

. ; - ■••'■;■'  ' • ' ■ ' ' 

■ 

. ,i  v . : ■ _ • - ■ • . 

..  ■ < -■  - b<  ® 

’<3  Iffl  W'J.)’  »>’<■ 


MARL. 


A LETTER  ADDRESSED  TO  THE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY  OF  JEFFERSON'  COUNTY. 

GEORGIA, 

BY  J.  II.  HAMMOND. 


Silver  Bluff,  So.  Ca.  ) 
January  5th.  1846.  4. 

Dear  Sir, — I embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  my  other  engagements  have 
allowed  me,  of  fulfilling  my  promise  to  comply  with  the  request  of  your  So- 
ciety, to  give  them  such  information  as  I possess  in  regard  to  Marl.  1 am 
happy  to  learn  that  an  interest  in  this  matter  has  been  excited  in  your  county, 
and  if  in  what  I am  about  to  say,  I shall  fail  to  meet  all  tlx  enquiries  which 
might  be  made,  it  will  afford  me  great  pleasure  to  communicate  more  fully 
on  particular  points,  at  any  time  hereafter. 

Aware  of  the  strong  prejudice  existing  too  generally  among  Farmers, 
against  every  thing  near  in  farming,  it  may  not  be  amiss  for  me  to  begin  by 
saying,  that  however  new  to  us  Marling  may  have  been  a few  years  ago,  it  is 
in  point  of  fact  one  of  the  very  oldest  agricultural  operations  of  which  we 
have  any  authentic  record.  Pliny,  who  wrote  during  the  first  century  of  our 
Era,  mentions  Marl  as  having  been  long  in  use  among  the  Greeks,  and  also- 
in  Gaul  and  Britain.  He  describes  pretty  accurately  the  appearance  of  all, 
or  nearly  all,  the  kinds  of  marl  now  known.  He  even  specifies  the  peculiar 
effects  of  each  on  soils,  and  states  the  length  of  time  these  effects  were  sup- 
posed to  last,  which  was  from  10  to  80  years,  according  tO'the  quality  of  the 
marl  and  the  land  marled.  Varro,  who  wrote  a century  before  Pliny,  men- 
tions having  seen  fields  in  Gaul  covered  with  a “ white  fossil  clay,”  and  also 
describes  several  varieties  of  marl  as  in  common  use. 

Although  these  various  writers,  because  ignorunt  of  the  discoveries  of 
modern  science,  made  great  blunders  in  attempting  to  account  for  the  extra- 
ordinary influence  exerUd  by  this  earth  on  vegetation,  and  to  discriminate 
between  its  varieties,  still  it  is  unquestionable  that  the  “ leucargillon"  of  the 
Greeks*  the  “ foscitia  crcta ” of  Varro-  and  the  “ marga ” <d  Pliny,  were  no 


394 


AGRICULTURAL 


other  than  the  same  kinds  of  marl  we  find  here,  and  which  at  this  day  so  ma- 
ny enterprising  farmers,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  are  actively  and  exten- 
sively engaged  in  spreading  over  iheir  fields,  and  which  have  been  continu- 
ously used  for  that  purpose  more  or  less  from  the  remotest  ages.  Marling, 
then,  is  certainly  no  novelty — no  untried  experiment,  that  can  for  a moment 
be  classed  among  modern  humbugs. 

There  is  no  question,  however,  that  the  want  of  chemical  knowledge  has  in 
time  past  led  to  great  errors  in  its  application  and  consequent  failures — often 
to  serious  injury  from  its  use.  When  the  element  in  marl  which  gives  it  its 
chief  virtue,  and  also  its  certain  and  its  probable  chemical  action  on  the  soil 
and  its  growth,  were  all  unknown,  every  new  application  of  it  was  to  some 
extent  an  experiment  which  might  or  might  not  succeed.  It  is  a great  proof 
of  its  universal  value,  that  so  many  succeeded  as  to  maintain  its  reputation 
and  consequent  use.  Mr.  Ruffin,  of  Virginia,  was  the  first  in  this  country  to 
explain  on  scientific  principles  the  true  nature  of  marl,  its  mode  of  action, 
and  the  proper  manner  of  applying  it,  and  to  carry  his  theory  through  the 
ordeal  of  successful  experiment.  He  is  the  founder  of  the  marling  system 
among  us,  for  which  he  will  be  long  and  deservedly  ranked  among  public 
benefactors.  His  “ Essay  on  Calcareous  Manure”  contains  every  thing  that 
it  is  important  to  know  about  marl  and  marling.  Throughout  my  operations, 
it  has  been  my  guide,  and  it  is  still,  I believe,  far  in  advance  of  any  thing  that 
has  yet  been  published  in  any  country  on  the  subject.  If  I thought  every 
member  of  your  Society  would  procure  a copy  of  that  Essay,  and  puruse  it 
carefully,  I might  close  my  letter  here,  by  earnestly  recommending  them  to 
do  so.  It  is  with  the  hope  of  inducing  some  of  them  to  do  it,  as  well  as  to 
testify  my  respect  for  them,  by  responding  to  their  inquiry,  that  I proceed. 

Marl,  as  correctly  defined  by  Mr.  Ruffin,  and  now  known  in  this  country, 
is  Calcareous  Earth : that  is,  earth  containing  lime.  This  lime  found,  is 
united  for  the  most  part  with  carbonic  acid,  and  is  therefore  called  carbonate 
of  lime.  It  sometimes  contains  lime  in  other  combinations,  as  sulphate  and 
phosphate  of  lime.  Azote,  has  been  found  in  marl  also,  and  magnesia  is  not 
uncommon.  Besides  these,  it  contains  sand  and  clay  in  various  proportions, 
and  occasionally  a green  sand  highly  prized  as  a manure  on  account  of  Its 
being  rich  in  potash.  All  of  these  constituents  are  valuable  to  the  farmer. 
But  it  is  the  quantity  of  carbonate  of  lime  in  it  which  gives  its  character  to 
Marl,  and  by  which  it  is  estimated  when  it  is  called  rich  or  poor- 

Nothing  is  more  deceptive  in  appearance,  and  the  most  experienced  are 
liable  to  great  mistakes,  if  they  attempt  to  estimate  its  value  by  the  eye,  and 
without  employing  the  proper  chemical  test.  There  is  a rock  found  in  abun- 
dance in  your  county,  and  which  is  of  great  value  for  other  purposes,  that 
has  deserved  many.  It  seems  to  be  a mass  of  shells  ; but  the  fact  is,  they  are 


PROCEEDINGS. 


395 


only  effigies,  or  casts  from  which  every  particle  of  lime  has  been  long  since 
washed  away,  and  sand  deposited  in  its  place.  There  is  also  a fine  soapy 
earth,  usually  of  a pale  ash  color,  though  sometimes  darker,  that  many  have 
regarded  as  very  rich  marl.  This  is  what  was  formerly,  and  by  foreign  wri- 
ters is  still,  denominated  clay  marl.  It  seldom  contains  much  lime,  and  is 
generally  wholly  destitute  of  it,  even  when  found  in  marl  beds.  This  soapy 
ieeling  is  a very  uncertain  indication  o!  lime.  Where  it  is  observed  in  marl, 
it  is  usually  owing  to  something  else,  chiefly  to  magnesia  or  alumina.  A marl 
is  found  whiter  and  harder  than  the  earth  to  which  I refer,  but  of  the  same 
lamellated  strucure  and  a somewhat  soapy  touch,  that  is  exceedingly  rich  in 
lime — that  at  Shell  Bluff  containing  90  odd  per  cent,  of  the  carbonate.  It 
yields  readily  to  the  knife,  crumbles  when  exposed  to  a severe  freeze,  and  is 
altogether  the  most  valuable  marl  we  have.  Unfortunately,  it  is  not  met  with 
in  large  quantities  in  our  formation.  In  our  marl  beds  immense  quantities  of 
large  shells  are  generally  found.  Inexperienced  marlers  have  been  known  to 
spread  these  on  their  land.  But  they  are  of  little  or  no  value,  uuless  burned 
or  crushed.  They  were  deposited  where  they  are  found  before  the  human 
race  inhabited  the  earth,  and  being  for  the  most  part  sound  yet,  will  yield  little 
or  no  lime  to  the  soil  in  our  day.  Even  the  masses  of  much  smaller,  con- 
glomerated  shells,  though  very  rich  in  lime,  are  not  among  the  most  valuable 
marls,  unless  bioken  up  and  pulverized  to  a considerable  extent.  There  is 
marl  abounding  with  us,  which  to  the  naked  eye  seems  to  be  mere  sand,  that 
is  much  more  valuable,  though  it  does  not  contain  two-thirds  of  the  quantity 
of  carbonate  of  lime;  it  mixes  at  once  with  the  soil  and  exerts  its  full  influ. 
ence  in  a comparatively  short  period.  The  most  valuable  marl,  practically 
speaking,  that  is  found  in  any  quantity  at  Shell  Bluff — and  will  be  found  in 
your  marl. beds,  for  the  formation  is  the  same — is  composed  of  very  fine  shells, 
scarcely  discernable,  which  are  loosely  cemented  together  and  readily  fall 
apart.  It  is  of  different  colors  ; mostly  white,  sometimes  purplish,  yellow  or 
light  brown.  The  most  abundant  marl  found  in  our  formation  is  hard  and 
compact,  of  a grey  color,  containing  50  to  60  per  cent,  of  lime,  and  crum- 
bles on  exposure  to  the  seasons  and  in  handling. 

But,  as  I have  said,  the  value  of  marl  cannot  be  estimated  by  its  appear- 
ance.  Between  earth  which  contains  75  per  cent,  of  carb.  of  lime,  and  that 
containing  20  per  cent.,  or  even  none  at  all,  the  most  experienced  are  far 
oftener  than  otherwise  unable  to  distinguish  without  using  the  proper  tests. 
These  are  so  readily  to  be  procured,  and  in  fact  the  analysis  of  marl,  so  far 
as  to  ascertain  the  quantity  of  carbonate  ot  lime,  is  so  very  simple  an  opera- 
tion, that  the  marler  should  leave  nothing  to  conjecture  on  this  important  point. 
Earth  containing  any  notable  proportion  of  carbonate  of  lime,  will  effervesce 
if  thrown  into  vinegar  or  almost  any  acid.  But  the  best  test  is  muriatic  acid  : 


396 


AGRICULTURAL 


a single  drop  of  it  will  produce  immediate  effervescence  whenever  there  is 
carbonate  of  lime.  To  discover  the  precise  quantity  of  carbonate  of  lime  in 
any  marl,  it  is  only  necessary  to  have  this  acid,  a pair  of  common  apotheca- 
ries’scales  with  weights,  and  a wide  mouthed  vial.  Dry  the  marl  thoroughly 
on  a si  ovel,  over  the  fire,  and  pound  it  in  a mortar,  to  a fine  powder.  Fill 
the  vial  about  one-third  with  the  muriatic  acid  diluted  with  two  parts  of  water 
to  one  of  acid,  and  balance  it  exactly  in  the  scales,  with  weights  of  any  kind. 
Then  add,  very  slowly,  100  grains  of  the  powder  previously  weighed,  taking 
care  not  to  make  it  effervesce  so  rapidly  as  to  throw  any  of  it  out  of  the  vial. 
When  the  effervescence  has  completely  ceased,  blow  gently  into  the  mouth 
of  the  vial,  with  a common  bellows,  to  expel  any  of  the  carbonic  acid  gas 
which  may  have  remained  in  it  in  consequence  of  its  being  heavier  than  the 
atmospheric  air.  Weights  to  the  amount  of  101)  grains  must  now  be  putin 
the  opposite  scale  to  balance  the  100  grains  of  powdered  marl  put  into  the 
vial.  It  will  be  found  that  in  consequence  of  the  escape  of  carbonic  acid  in 
a gaseous  form,  the  scale  with  the  vial  will  rise  : put  weights  into  it  then  un- 
til the  scales  are  once  more  exactly  bajanced — the  number  of  grains  put  in 
the  scale  with  the  vial  will  of  course  indicate  the  weight  of  the  carbonic  acid 
that  has  escaped.  Now  carbonate  of  lime  contains  in  100  parts  very  nearly 
parts  of  lime  and  44  of  carb.  acid.  If  then  44  grains  have  escaped  in  your 
analysis,  the  specimen  is  pure  carbonate  of  lime.  If  only  22  grains  have 
escaped,  then  it  contains  but  50  per  cent,  of  carbonate  of  lime.  And  so  in 
proportion  to  any  quantity  of  carbonic  acid  which  may  have  been  expelled. 
In  practice,  it  will  be  found  most  convenient  to  use  50  grains  of  the  powdered 
marl.  A very  few  trials  will  enable  the  most  inexperienced  farmer  to  ascer- 
tain in  half  an  hour  with  sufficient  precision,  the  value  of  his  marl.  That 
value  depending  mainly,  as  stated,  on  the  quantity  of  carbonate  lime  which  it 
contains. 

The  value  of  lime  for  agricultural  purposes,  is  not  only  established  by  the 
experience  of  all  ages,  and  so  far  as  we  know,  of  all  countries,  but  must  be 
obvious,  when  it  is  known  that' chemical  analysis  has  detected  it  as  a constitu- 
ent of  every  vegetable  that  grows  on  the  surface  of  the  earth.  It  is  also  the 
chief  element  of  the  bones  of  every  animal — even  of  those  that  feecd  on 
grass  only.  It  is  therefore  not  only  beneficial,  but  indispensable  to  the  growth 
of  all  kind  of  vegetation.  The  All-Bountiful  Creator  has  diffused  it  over  the 
whole  globe,  as  extensively  as  almost  any  known  s .bstance.  But  like  all 
His  gifts,  it  has  been,  for  wise  and  good  purposss,  no  doubt,  unequally  distrih- 
uted.  That  it  is  placed,  in  some  form  and  to  some  extent,  within  the  reach 
of  all  plants,  is  certain,  since  they  all  contain  it.  And  a late  scientific  writer 
on  Agricultural  Chemistry  in  our  country,  has  attempted  to  prove  that  all — 
even  the  poorest  soils,  possess  an  ample  supply  of  it  to  furnish  heavy  crops  of 
vegetation  for  countless  years- to  come*  if  this  were- true,  it  would  be  worse 


PROCEEDINGS. 


89? 


than  Useless  to  expend  labor  in  spreading  it  over  our  lands  ; millions  of  far* 
triers  besides  myself  have  acted  very  foolishly,  and  you  would  do  well  to  think 
no  more  of  marling.  But  this  is  plainly  not  the  case.  There  are  a great 
many  soils  in  which  the  chemical  tests  now  known,  have  failed  to  find  a trace 
of  it.  Such  is  the  fact  with  regard,  I belii  Ve,  to  all  the  land  I cultivate. 
Such,  I will  venture  to  say,  it  is  with  regard  to  most,  if  not  all  the  lands  in 
your  county  ; though  I am  aware  you  have  had  pretended  analysis  made, 
which  exhibited  large  proportions  of  lime.  The  reasoning  of  the  writer 
alluded  to,  is  this:  All  soils  are  formed  by  the  disintegration  and  crumbling 
of  rocks.  Must  rocks  contain  lime,  especially  those  which  disintegrate  most 
readily  and  form  soils.  He  calculates  the  amount  of  lime  in  the  quantum  of 
rock  necessary  to  create  a soil  of  a certain  depth,  and  thence  infers  that  there 
is  so  much  lime  in  the  land.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the  rocks  from  which 
your  soil  and  mine  were  formed,  contained  lime  to  the  amount  estimated. 
But  it  is  equally  certain  that  these  rocks,  in  their  transition  from  one  state  to 
another,  were  subjected  for  an  indefinite  period  to  the  action  of  water.  I am 
speaking  particularly  of  our  immediate  section  of  country.  The  ocean  once 
undoubtedly  covered  it  as  high  up  as  the  Falls  of  our  rivers  and  the  belt  of 
Sand  hills  which  runs  through  the  middle  districts  of  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia,  and  held  it  as  permanent  domain.  During  this  period,  our  marl-beds 
were  deposited— “possibly  also  our  present  surface  of  earth.  Rut  whether 
that  be  so  or  not,  and  whether  the  surface  wo  now  cultivate  belongs  to  the 
Eocene  formation,  as  these  marl  deposits  are  supposed  to  do,  or  to  tbe  Post 
Pliocene,  or,  as  is  most  probable,  to  the  Diluvial,  it  is  evident,  from  the  irreg* 
ular  inter-stratification  of  different  kinds  of  earth,  and  the  rounded  pebbles 
on  and  in  it,  to  a considerable  depth,  which  could  have  been  rounded  only  by 
the  action  of  water,  that  the  whole  of  it,  like  the  sand  and  clay  now  constant* 
ly  brought  down  oUr  streams,  has  been  at  some  remote  period,  “ drifted”  from 
a higher  region,  and  deposited  by  Water  here.  The  lime  in  the  rocks  being 
soluble  under  circumstances  which  must  have  attended  the  “ drift’,  was  re* 
tained  and  carried  away  in  the  currents.  Our  marl  beds  were  probably  de- 
posited at  a much  earlier  geological  era,  and  have  no  connection  with  the  soil 
on  our  present  surface,  but  were  upheaved  and  denuded  in  some  of  those 
great  convulsions  to  which  our  globe  has  been  every  where  subjected.  That 
our  lands  are  for  the  most  part  destitute  of  lime  is  certain.'  That  it  has 
been  taken  from  them  in  this  way,  is  more  than  probable.  The  masses  of 
silicified  shells  to  which  I have  already  alluded,  and  which  are  so  abundant 
in  your  county,  prove  that  the  lime  may  be  entirely  carried  off  by  water. 

But  if  there  is  no  lime  in  the  soil,  from  what  souice  do  the  growing  plants 
derive  this  indispensable  constituent  may  be  well  asked  ? It  has  been  often 
asked.  Nature  has  not  revealed,  and  science  has  as  yet  failed  to  discover  an 
answer  satisfactory  to  all.  Whether,  as  is  conjectured  by  some,  the  unknown 


398 


AGRICULTURAL 


vital  action  of  the  plant  is  sufficiently  powerful  and  comprehensive  to  create 
the  requisite  modicum — or  whether  it  can,  as  others  suppose,  by  some  gal- 
vanic agency,  extract  it  from  sources  svhere  its  existence  has  not  yet  been 
detected  by  chemical  re-agents,  is  yet  a mystery.  Out  this  much  experience 
has  established  and  science  demonstrated,  that  where  lime  cannot  be  found 
in  fair  proportions  in  a soil,  the  health  and  visor  of  the  plants  growing  on  it 
can  always  be  materially  improved  by  a judicious  application  of  it.  And  to 
this  conclusion  common  sense,  without  experience  or  science,  would  lead 
every  one  who  was  aware  that  it  is  invariably  an  element  in  all  vegetable 
matter. 

The  precise  rationale  of  the  action  of  lime  on  the  soil,  and  the  manner  in 
which  it  benefits  Vegetation,  has  never  been  fully  and  minutely  explained. 
Nature  still  holds  many  of  the  secrets  of  her  laboratory  undisclosed.  Many, 
and  many  of  the  most  important  details  of  her  wonderful  processes  of  com- 
position  and  decomposition,  and  of  the  vast  play  of  her  chemical  affinities, 
yet  await  the  persevering  investigation  and  penetrating  thought  of  man.  I 
will  endeavor  to  lay  before  you,  succinctly,  what  is  known  or  rationally  con- 
jectured in  regard  to  the  operations  and  effects  of  lime,  so  far  as  may  be  ma- 
terial to  the  present  purpose. 

It  is  applied  to  land,  either  directly  or  mixed,  in  compost  heaps,  and  car- 
ried out  in  manure.  But  for  the  additional  labor  the  latter  would  always  be 
the  best  method.  Where  it  is  used  in  largp  quantities,  it  is  much  cheaper  to 
spread  it  at  once  upon  the  land,  and  apply  manure,  &c.  afterwards,  as  cir- 
cumstances may  dictate  or  permit.  It  is  sometimes  put  on  land  in  the  state 
in  which  it  comes  from  the  kiln,  that  is  as  quick  or  caustic  lime.  Sometimes 
it  is  first  slacked  in  water,  when  it  becomes  a hydrate  of  lime.  Most  com- 
monly  it  is  slacked  by  mere  exposure  to  the  atmosphere,  when  it  assumes  the 
form  of  carbonate  or  mild  lime,  that  is  lime  combined  with  carbonic  acid, 
which  it  extracts  from  the  air  in  the  proportions  I have  already  stated.  It  is 
in  this  form  that  it  is  found  most  abundantly  in  nature.  Sulphate  and  phos- 
phate of  lime  are  also  found,  but  quick  lime  never.  The  lime  in  shells,  mar- 
ble, limestone,  marl,  &c.  is  usually  all  of  it  the  carbonate.  Its  action,  how  - 
ever,  in  the  long  run,  is  always  the  same,  whether  applied  in  the  mil  l orcaus- 
tic  state,  being  dependent  on  its  intrinsic  properties  as  lime.  When  caustic, 
)t  at  first  rapidly  decomposes  whatever  of  vegetable  fibre  or  animal  matter  it 
comes  in  contact  will.  But  iTs  caustic  quality  is  soon  exhausted,  or  rather  it 
soon  becomes  changed  itself  by  the  action  of  the  substances  it  meets  w.th, 
and  thus  looses  its  causticity.  On  lands  containing  a great  excess  of  vegeta- 
hie  matter,  such  as  peat  and  rich  bog,  and  where  rapid  decomposition  is  de- 
sirable, quick  lime  is  the  best  form  of  application,  if  equally  cheap,  as  it  saves 
time,  and  renders  the  soil  productive  much  sooner  than  the  carbonate  will 
do  it. 


PROCEEDINGS* 


399 


Although  lime  Is  found  most  commonly  combined  with  carbonic  acid,  the 
fact  is  owing  more  to  the  abundance  of  that  acid  which  exists  in  the  atmos* 
phere,  in  water,  and  is  continually  arising  from  vegetable  decay,  than  be- 
cause it  has  any  affinity  for  carbonic  over  other  acids.  On  the  contrary,  it 
will  yield  it  up  and  combine  in  preference  with  almost  any  other.  Not  only 
She  strong  mineral,  but  most  vegetable  acids,  even  vinegar,  as  I have  before 
mentioned,  wiil  drive  it  off.  The  effervescence  which  takes  place  when 
carb.  of  lime  is  thrown  into  them,  is  caused  by  the  curb,  acid  escaping  in  the 
form  ot  gas.  From  this  great  affinity  of  lime  for  all  acids  results  one  of  its 
primary  and  most  important  effects  in  soils.  Acids  are  antiseptic  and  arrest 
spontaneous  decay.  Lime  combines  with  them  wherever  it  finds  them  free 
from  other  combinations,  and  neutralizes  their  injurious  effect.  Hence,  on 
lands  that  we  call  sour— and  on  many  that  are  really  sour  without  our  knowl- 
edge of  the  fact— all  land  covered  with  broom  sedge  for  example — it  is  of 
inestimable  value.  It  destroys  the  sourness,  and  thereby  promotes  the  decay 
of  whatever  matter  may  have  been  locked  up  by  acids,  which  is  calculated  to 
nourish  useful  vegetation.  From  this  quality  of  lime,  it  is  denominated  an 
Alkaline  Earth— alkali  being  the  reverse  and  antagonist  of  acid.  Whenever 
an  alkali  and  acid  meet,  they  neutralize  one  another  in  certain  proportions, 
and  form  what  is  called  a salt.  For  instance,  our  common  salt  is  muriatic 
acid,  and  the  alkali  soda.  So  carbonate  of  lime  is  in  fact  itself  a salt. 

These  salts,  and  especially  those  of  which  lime  is  a component  part,  are  of 
the  highest  value  in  agriculture.  Some  of  them  are  soluble  in  water,  and 
these  are  the  most  valuable.  It  is  in  fact-only  when  they  are  thus  dissolved 
that  they  afford  any  direct  nourishment  to  growing  plants  which  can  imbibe 
nothing  by  their  roots  but  watery  solutions,  and  are  fed  altogether  in  this  way 
from  the  ground.  But  the  salts  which  are  readily  soluble  in  water  are  soon 
exhausted.  Every  shower  dissolves  them,  and  whatever  surplus  is  left  after 
the  plants  have  absorbed  the  solution  to  the  extent  of  their  capacity,  is  liable 
to  escape  by  evaporation,  or  to  be  carried  by  the  water  into  the  earth  below 
the  reach  of  vegetation,  or  to  run  off  with  it  into  «he  streams.  Salts  then 
that  are  not  immediately  soluble  in  water,  if  they  can  be  made  soluble  gradu- 
ally,-are,  in  the  long  run,  the  most  useful  to  the  former.  Of  this  class  are 
most,  if  not  all,  of  the  salts  formed  by  lime.  Carbonate  of  lime  is  indeed 
wholly  insoluble,  iw  pure  water,  and  if  lime  remained  forever  in  that  state  is 
Would  be  of  little  value  in  the  soil  other  than  its  mechanical  influence  on  the 
texture  of  it.  But  if  carbonic  acid  be  added  in  excess — that  is  more  of  it 
than  44  parts  in  100  which  are  required  to  make  the  carbonate,  this  salt  be. 
conies  soluble.  This  excess  is,  in  point  of  fact,  constantly  furnished  in  small 
quantities  by  the  air,  by  rain  water,  and  by  the  decay  of  vegetable  substances 
in  the  ground,  and  hence,  one  advantage  from  keeping  lime  near  the  surface. 
The  lime  thus  dissolved  enters  into  the  plant  and  feeds  iu  In  this  way,  and 


400 


AGRtiCULTURAla 


this  way  only,  is  it  a direct  manure.  All  its  other  influences  arte  indirect,  oft 
which  account  it  is  most  generally  regarded  as  a stimulant  rather  than  a ma*. 
nure.  1 am  speaking,  of  course,  of  carb.  of  lime  as  it  exists  in  our  marls* 
and  not  of  the  sulphate  or  phosphate  of  lime. 

Its  indirect  action  however  is  as  important  as  it  is  varied.  I have  already 
said  it  promotes  decay  by  neutralising  acids.  But  while  lime*  from  its  neu» 
trali'zing  power  promotes  decay,  by  arresting  the  influence  of  acids  and  giv. 
ing  efficiency  to  the  legitimate  agents  which  accomplish  it,  it  is  a watchful 
guardian  over  their  action*  retarding  their  wasteful  haste,  and  sometimes 
wholly  preventing  further  progress  for  a time.  It  expels,  for  instance,  from 
decomposing  substances,  ammonia,  which  is  the  most  active  and  rapid  con- 
ductor of  putrifying  contagion,  driving  it  into  the  air  to  descend  in  future 
showers,  or  if  they  are  at  hand*  into  other  substances  less  advanced  in  the 
stages  of  decay. 

The  ultimate  result  of  the  vegetable  decomposition  thus  judiciously  for* 
Warded  by  lime*  is  n substance  to  which  various  names  have  been  applied  by 
chemists*  such  as,  “humus,”  “ geiot,'”  “ ulmin &c.»  which,  so  far  as  agri* 
culture  is  concerned, — their  treatment  and  influence  on  the  growth  of  vege- 
tation, are  one  and  the  same  thing;  meaning,  substantially,  that  residuum  cf 
decomposition  which  is  familiarly  known  to  us  as  “ vegetable  Mould,”  without 
a sufficiency  of  which  in  our  soils,  we  are  all  aware  that  compensating  crops 
cannot  be  made.  In  the  progress  of  decay  the  most  soluble  portions  of  this 
mould  are  exhausted  and  assume  new  forms,  and  what  at  last  remains  appa- 
rently fixed  in  the  soil  is  the  undissofved  sediment.  This  is  said  to  be  wholly 
insoluble  in  water*  but  when  plowed  up  and  frequently  exposed  to  the  action 
of  the  air*  it  becomes  so*  sparingly.  Yet  without  aid  from  some  other 
source*  than  the  atmosphere*  water  will  not  furnish  it  to  plants  in  sufficient 
quantities  for  their  vigorous  growth.  Now  the  alkalies  and  alkaline  earths 
(lime  being  the  most  important  of  this  last  class)  act  directly  on  this  insolu- 
ble substance.  Their  presence — and  it  is  a singular  but  well  known  princi* 
plo  in  chemistry,  that  mere  presence  is  a power  called  catalvtic^-induces  it  to 
absorb  oxygen  from  the  atmosphere,  and  to  produce  what  is  called  humic 
heid.  With  this  acid  the  alkalies  immediately  combine  and  form  salts,  called 
humates*  which  are  soluble  in  water,  and  afford  nourishment  to  plants.  Thus 
when  lime  is  properly  applied  to  land,  it  brings  into  fruitful  action  the  hitherto 
inert  vegetable  mould. 

But  it  must  be  obvious  that  if  no  additional  vegetable  matter  is  given  to  the 
soil,  the  effect  of  lime  will  be  to  exhaust  it  utterly,  in  a shorter  time  than  might 
otherwise  be  done  by  cropping.  Hence  the  saying,  that  liming  land  enriches 
the  father  but  impoverishes  the  son.  It  must  not  be  forgotten,  however,  that 
the  lime  1ms  enriched  the  father,  by  giving  abundantly  to  his  crops  food  that 
would  otherwise  have  remained  dead  in  his  soil*  or  been  eliminated  by  other 


PROCEEDINGS. 


401 


agents  through  a scries  of  years,  in  feeble  proportions,  to  scant,  and 
therefore  profitless  crops ; while,  if  it  impoverishes  the  son,  it  is  because  a 
wretched  husbandry  has  taken  ail  from  the  land,  and  given  nothing  in  return. 
The  exhausting  eifect  of  lime  is  mitigated,  however,  by  another  highly  im- 
portant intermediate  condition  of  the  process.  As  the  mould  disappears,  the 
proportion  of  lime  to  mould  of  course  increases,  and  the  lime  becomes  exces- 
sive. When  this  is  the  case,  the  humate,  which  before  was  soluble,  becomes 
wholly  insoluble  in  water.  The  process  of  decomposition  then  ceases  for  a 
time.  And  such  is  the  case  very  soon,  wherever  lime  or  marl,  in  very  large 
doses,  is  put  on  land  possessing  but  little  vegetable  matter.  It  is  called  “ marl 
burnt,”  among  the  marlers — many  instances  of  which  I can  point  out  on  my 
plantation.  In  course  of  cultivation,  however,  the  lime  being  constantly  ex- 
posed to  the  atmosphere,  absorbs  carbonic,  acid,  which  combining  with  a -por- 
tion of  it,  converts  it  into  carbonate  of  lime  again,  and  thus  freeing  the  hu- 
mate or  a part  o-f  it,  of  the  excess  of  lime,  renders  it  soluble  once  more- 
But  this  is  a very  slow  process,  and  unless  there  are  immense  quantities  of 
vegetable  mould  which  have  been  thus  locked  up  by  an  extraordinary  and  inju- 
dicious application  of  lime,  and  probably  even  then,  the  proper  plan  is  to 
remedy  the  evil  at  once,  by  a heavy  ceating  of  vegetable  matter  brought  fresh 
from  the  woods.  When  this  cannot  be  effected,  we  should  give  the  land  a 
long  and  absolute  rest,  allowing  every  particle  of  vegetation  it  produces  to 
rot  upon  it,  and  if  it  can  be  conveniently  done  to  plow  it  in.  The  best  of  all 
methods,  however,  to  restore  the  land,  and  not  always  the  most  expensive, 
would  be  to  add  a sufficiency  of  compost  manure.  Besides  the  amount  of 
decayed  vegetation  which  such  manure  would  supply,  the  alkalies,  potash 
and  soda  are  always  generated  in  compost  heaps.  These  act  directly  on  the 
insoluble  humate  of  lime,  decompose  it  by  their  greater  affinity  for  the  humic 
acid,  and  form  new  salts  which  are  quite  soluble. 

Instead  of  objecting  to  this  action  of  lime  in  flocking  up  the  food  of  plants, 
and  its  constant  tendency  to  do  so  when  that  food  is  not  made  abundant  by 
-good  husbandry,  we  should  rather  regard  it  as  one  of  its  most  valuable  pro. 
properties-  The  vegetable  mould  was  dead  in  the  soil.  It  could  not  be  car- 
ried away,  but  it  was  of  little  value  as  it  stood.  The  lime  by  its  presence 
persuades  it  to  decompose  in  sufficient  quantities  to  nourish  a luxurious  growth 
of  plants.  So  soon  as  the  mould  begins  to  become  scarce,  the  lime  confines 
it  in  its  embraces  and  preserves  it  from  the  wasteful . influence  of  heat  and 
moisture.  Yet  to  the  industrious  farmer,  whose  constant  furrows  give  access 
to  the  atmosphere  it  yields  up,  what  a prudent  economy  would  dictate  under 
existing  circumstances,  to  promote  the  growth  of  vegetation.  If  that  vegc_ 
tation  is  permitted  to  remain  and  decompose  upon  the  land,  “ vegetable 
mould,”  in  time,  becomes  -abundant  again,  and  the  lime  prepares  it -to  .urnish 
26 


402 


AGRICULTURAL 


ample  food  for  heavy  crops  once  more.  If  all  the  produce  is  taken  off,  the 
lime,  more  provident  than  the  farmer,  and  more  generous  too,  still  preserves 
what  remains  in  the  soil,  for  the  exclusive  use  ot  the  crop,  and  doles  it  out 
until  all  is  gone. 

The  influence  of  lime  upon  the  mineral  substances  of  the  earth  is  scarcely 
less  powerful  and  important  to  the  farmer,  than  on  the  Vegetable.  The  chief 
mineral  constituents  of  the  soil  am,  as  you  know,  sand  and  clay.  They  are 
usually  resolved  by  agricultural  chemists  into  what  they  call  silica  and  alu- 
mina, which  are  silicon  and  aluminum,  their  ultimate  principles,  with  a little 
oxygen  absorbed  from  the  atmosphere.  Of  these  two  silica  is  the  most  abun- 
dant as  well  perhaps  as  valuable.  After  what  we  call  clay  has  been  deprived 
of  its  sand  by  washing,  in  which  state  it  is  usually  denominated  pure  or  agri- 
cultural clay,  it  still  holds  in  chemical  combination  from  50  to  60  per  cent, 
of  silica.  The  purest  pipe  clay  we  find,  is  half  silica ; and  the  stiffest  red 
kinds- of  your  county  probably  contain  at  least  70  per  cent,  of  it,  and  not 
more  than  15  per  cent  of  alumina.  Lime  and  alumina  have  a strong  affinity, 
and  from:  their  combination  and  subsequent  decomposition  results  the  impor- 
tant and  well  established  fact,  that  the  stiffesi  clay  lands  are  rendered  light 
and  mellow  by  liming.  The  rationale  of  this  process  has  never  been  satis- 
factorily explained.  The  e ffect  is  usually  referred  to  the  mere  mechanical 
operation  of  the  lime.  But  this  cannot  be  so,  since  an  hundred,  or  at  most 
a few  hundreds  of  bushels  per  acre  of  one  earth,  could  not  materially  alter 
the  texture  of  another,  to  any  depth.  It  is  probable  that  the  crumbling  of 
the  clay,  after  liming,  will  be  found' to  be  owing  to  the  condensation  by  severe 
cold  of  the  caibomc  acid  supplied  by  the  lime,  and  its  extraordinary  power 
of  expansion  under  the  influence  of  returning  heat,  since  this  disintegration 
of  stiff  lands  has  never  been  observed  until  a winter  has  elapsed  after  the 
application  of  lime  or  marl.  Alumina  will  not  combine  with  carbonic  acid  $ 
and  it  may  be  the  clay  lands  are  opened  partly  by  the  incessant  changes  oc- 
casioned by  the  affinity  of  lime  for  both.  Being  insoluble  ir.  water,  alumina 
furnishes  of  itself  little  or  no  alimt  nt  to  the  growing  plant,  though  it  has 
other  indirect  influences  fully  in  proportion  to  its  conspicuous  position  as  a 
constituent  of  soils. 

Silica,  on  the  contrary,  enters  largely  into  the  formation  of  the  plant.  It 
has,  ns  Bhave  mentioned,  acid  properties,  and  combines  with  the  alkalies  and 
alkaline  earths  and  metals,  forming  salts  of  the  greatest  value  in  numerous 
points- of  view,  which  are  called  silicates.  It  is  the  silicate  of  potash,  some- 
times replaced  by  that  of  soda,  and  to  some  extent  by  that  of  lime,  which 
forms  the  outer  coating  of  straw,  stems,  stalks,-  &c.,  giving  both  strength  and 
protection  to  the  plant-  These  silicates  are  insoluble  in  water,  so  much  so, 
lhat  they,  constitute  the  chief  ingredient  of  rocks.  Bet  that  universal  and 


PROCEEDINGS. 


403- 


inexhaustible  agent,  the  carbonic  acid  of  the  atmosphere,  acting  on  the  alka- 
line bases  of  the  silicates,  decomposes  them  : hence  the  gradual  breaking, 
down  of  rocks  under  atmospheric  influence.  The  presence  of  lime  is  also- 
known  to  influence  the  decomposition  of  the  silicates  of  potash  and  soda,  and-' 
at  the  moment  of  decomposition,  both  the  silica  and  alkali  are  soluble.- 
Thus,  lime  aids  materially  in  supplying  these  essential  elements  to  plants.. 
Whether  it  does  so  by  its  alkaline  properties,  or  by  concentrating  carbonic 
acid,  or  merely  by  its  catalytic  power,  has  not  been  settled.  The  silicate  of; 
lime  itself,  when  rendered  soluble  by  the  decomposing  influence  of  carbonic- 
acid,  sometimes,  as  I have  stated,  becomes,  in  their  absence,  a substitute  for 
the  silicates  of  potash  and  soda.  It  is  this  combination  also,  that  renders  light 
sandy  lands  more  consistent,  which  is  one  of  the  most  imporiant  effects  of 
lime  on  such  lands— particularly  on  the  light  uplands  so  extensively  planted- 
on  this  side  of  the  Savannah,  and  in  your  county.  The  fact  is  unquestiona- 
ble. It  is  usually  referred,  as  is  the  opening  of  stiff  lands,  to  the  mechanical 
influence  of  the  lime,  but  the  cause  assigned  here,  as  in  that  case,  is  not 
adequate  to  the  effect. 

The  red  and  brown  lands  in  your  county  are  colored,  as  they  are  every- 
where else,  by  iron.  You  have  no  doubt  observed  that,  after  continued  cul- 
tivation, some  of  the  best  of  them  cease  to  become  productive  without  much: 
apparent  loss  of  vegetable  mould,  and  are  not  rapidly  restored  to  either  by 
rest  or  manure.  Among  other  causes,  this  is  owing,  to  a considerable- 
extent  to  the  excessive  oxidation  of  the  iron  inconsequence  of  its  exposure, 
from  plowing,  to  the  atmosphere,  whence  it  extracts  oxygen,  a process  you 
see  constantly  exemplified  by  the  rusting  of  old  iron.  lit  becomes  what  is 
called  a peroxide  of  iron,  which  is  very  injurious  to- vegetation.  Lime  neu- 
tralizes all  acids,  and  if  put  upon  these  lands  in  proper  quantities,  it  will  neu- 
tralize a portion  of  the  acid  in  the  iron,  and  convert  the  peroxide  irato-a  pro- 
toxide of  iron,  which,  if  not  actually  beneficial,  is  at  least  harmless  to-  plants. 
You  have  too,  in  some  of  your  soils,  the  sulphurct  of  iron,- so- often  taken  for 
gold  ore.  This,  on  exposure  to  air,  absorbs  oxygen,  which  produces  suL 
phuric  acid,  and  then  forms  the  sulphate  of  iron  or  coppeas,.  which  is  poisom- 
ous  to  plants.  If  lime  is  put  on  the  land  it  will  arrest)  the  accession  of  the 
sulphuric  acid,  thus  formed,  to  the  iron,  and  prevent)  the  formation  of  cop- 
peras. But  what  is  more,  combining  with  the  sulphuric  acid  itself,  it  forms 
sulphate  of  lime,  commonly  called  plaster  of  paris,  one  of  the  most  highly 
prized  of  all  mineral  manures,  and  an  element  in  all,  or  nearly  all  plants. 
Lime  has  also  the  power  of  forming  plaster  in  the  same  way  when  it  comes 
in  contact  with  sulphate  of  silicon,  which  is  supposed  to  exist  in  all  soils.  It 
combines  also  with  sulphuric  acid,  arising  from  vegetable  decomposition  or 
any  other  source,  and  produces  this  valuable  salt. 


404 


AGRICULTURAL 


The  sulphate  of  lime,  called  also  gypsum,  as  well  as  plaster  of  paris,  must 
/exist  to  some  extent  in  all  soils,  as  it  is  found  in  almost  all  plants.  But,  like 
:the  carbonate  of  lime,  it  is  seldom  to  be  detected  by  chemical  tests.  It  may 
also  be  eliminated  from  unknown  combinations  by  the  vital  action  of  the 
.growing  plant.  But  in  the  way  I have  mentioned,  it  will  undoubtedly  be 
formed  in  greater  abundance  in  all  soils,  by  the  application  of  lime.  Sul- 
phuric acid  itself  is  often  used  as  a manure,  but  experience  has  fully  estab- 
lished the  fact,  that  it  is  of  little  value  except  on  calcareous  soils  ; and  what 
is  more  remarkable,  that  sulphate  of  lime  will  also  act  with  far  greater  effect 
on  limed  lands.  I tried  some  of  it  myself  the  past  year  on  marled  land.  I 
rolled  the  cotton  seed  in  it,  previously  to  planting  them,  and  thus  applied  it  at 
•the  rate  of  only  one  peck  of  the  plaster  per  acre.  I am  satisfied  that  the 
product,  on  the  few  acres  to  which  it  was  applied,  was  one  third  greater 
than  on  similar  adjoining  land,  marled  also,  but  not  plastered.  I anticipate 
'therefore,  the  greatest  benefit  from  the  use  of  plaster  after  marl.  I should 
■remark,  however,  that  it  has  not  been  found  invariably  beneficial,  even  on 
dimed  lands.  In  England,  and  on  our  coast,  south  of  Long  Island,  little 
■ advantage  has  been  derived  from  it.  Tw;o  probable  causes  have  been  assign- 
ed for  this  : the  influence  of  sea  air,  which  has  not  been  satisfactorily  explain- 
ed, and  the  probability  that  the  lands  in  the  regions  mentioned  have  derived 
n sufficiency  of  gvpsum  already  from  the  sulphuret  of  iron,  or  other  sources. 
"Very  little  is  required  tor  plants  : one  peck  per  acre  applied  to  the  moistened 
seed  will  probably  have  as  much  effect,  for  one  year  at  least,  as  any  other 
auantity.  In  the  last  dry  season  it  had,  on  my  land,  double  the  effect  of  a 
bushel  sown  broadcast.  Five  to  ten  bushels  are  sometimes  applied. 

iPhos.phate  of  Lime  is  even  more  esteemed  for  a manure  than  the  Sulphate. 
It  is  sometime^  called  the ‘-Earth  of  Bones,”  as  bones  contain  over  fifty  per 
■cent,  of  this  salt.  Being  less  abundant  than  sulphate  of  lime,  it  is  much 
imore  costly.  Bones  are  transported  across  the  Atlantic  to  England,  to  be 
msed  as  manure.  Several  hundred  vessels  arc  now  engaged  solely  in  trans- 
porting bones  from  various  part  of  the  world  to  England.  This  phosphate 
is  also  an  essential  constituent  of  plants,  though  rarely  to  be  detected  in 
soils.  But  phosphoric  acid,  like  sulphuric,  arises  from  vegetable  decompo- 
sition,  from  phosphurct  of  silicon,  and  perhaps  other  sources.  If  lime  be 
present  in  the  soil  to  fix  it,  not  only  is  the  vital  action  of  the  plant  relieved 
.from  producing  it,  but  much  is  probably  saved  that  would  otherwise  be  lost. 
The  ash  of  cotton  seed  contains  considerably  more  of  this  acid  than  bones 
do,  and  hence,  the  immense  value  of  this  seed  as  a manure.  But  its  effects 
are  proverbially  transient.  With  lime  in  the  soil  sufficiently  abundant  to  fix 
the  phosphoric  acid,  cotton  seed  would  be  a manure  almost  as  permanent  as 
bones.  But  to  detail  all  the  operations  of  lime  in  the  soil,  in  r-ssist-ing  to  pre- 


PROCEEDINGS. 


405 


pare  food  for  plants  out  of  the  vegetable  and  mineral  substances — which 
compose  it — would  require  me  to  write  a much  longer  letter  than  you  would 
read  with  patience.  I have  touched  on  the  most  prominent  only.  The  gen- 
eral  consequences,  however,  which  follow,  and  which  are  regarded  as  arising 
peculiarly  from  its  applications  to  land,  require  to  be  glanced  at. 

By  opening  stiff  land,  it  renders  it  more  permeable  to  the  air,  and  more 
subject  to  atmospheric  influence,  while  its  surplus  water  more  readily  escapes. 
Quick-lime,  when  saturated,  holds  more  water  than  common,  day,  such  as- 
yours,  but  yields  it  more  readily  to  heat,  and  is  therefore  of  great  use  in 
drying  damp  lands  and  rendering  them  warmer.  But  it  does  not  give  up  its 
water  so  promptly  as  sand,  and  therefore  render  that  more  rententive  of 
moisture.  In  fact,  Marl  containing  50  per  cent.,  of  carbonate  of  lime,  and 
the  residue  chilly  fine  sand,  will  absorb  more-  water  than  the  common  clay 
of  your  lands,  and  retain  it  as  long.  During  the  extreme  drought  last  year, 
atone  time,  the  plow  turned' up  dry  dirt  in  a field  of  mine  marled  that  year 
at  100  bushels  per  acre,  and  not  yet  sufficiently  mixed  in  the  soil,  while 
several  days  later,  without  intervening, rain  in-asoil  equally  sandy  and  having 
less  vegetable  matter,  but  marled  lour  years  ago  with  200  bushels- per  acre, 
earth  quite  moist  was  turned  up  at  the  same  depth.  You  will  readily  per- 
ceive  and  appreciate  the  value  of  marl  in  this  respect. 

By  rapidly  neutralizing  the  noxous,  and  vivifying  the  good  properties  of 
the  subsoil  brought  up  in  breaking,  land,  lime  enables  the  farmer  to  deepen 
his  soil  more  speedly  and.  without  risk.  Mr.  Ruffin’s  experience  confirming 
the  theory,  is  decisive  on  this  point;  mine,  so  far  as  it  goes,  is  to  the  same 
effect.  Lime  undoubtedly  hastens  the  maturity  of  crops.  Writers  abroad 
state  that  it  advances  them  a fortnight.  Before  seeing  these  statements,  my 
obversation  of  my  own  crops  had  led  me  to.  the  same  conclusion.  Two 
weeks  gained  to  the  cotton  plant  is  equivalent  to  a degree  of  latitude — a very 
material  gain  to  us. 

It  is  also  stated  on  good  authority,,  that  lirrae  in  lands  improves  the  quality 
of  every  cultivated  crop — and  that  it  has  the  effect  of  increasing  the  fruit  in 
proportion  to  the  weed.  It  is  well  known,  that  while  the  strqw,  stalks,  &c. 
of  plants,  contain  more  of  the  carbonates,  the  seeds  contain  more  of  the 
phosphates.  If  the  application  of  carbonate  of  lime  increases  the  fruit  more 
than  it  does  the  stalk,  its  indirect  influence  in  producing  phosphates  is  greater 
and  more  important  than  has  been  generally  supposed,  and  its  value  is- 
enhanced  in  a corresponding  degree.  It  is  said  also  to  extirpate  many  noxious 
weeds.  However  this  may  be,  I cm  testify  that  it  gives  great  luxuriance  to 
the  growth  of  all  the  grasses  with  which  our  crops  are  infested.  This,  to  the 
mere  corn  and  cotton  planter,  may  be  no  recommendation  of  it.  I will  state 
howeyer,  that  in  a field  planted  in  cotton  in  1311,  and  rested  last  year,,  which. 


406 


AGRICULTURAL 


usually  produces  a heavy  crop  of  hog-weed,  when  turned  out,  there  came  up, 
although  it  had  not  been  plowed  at  all,  an  uncommonly  fine  growth  ol  crow 
foot ; which  I can  only  account  for  from  its  having  been  marled.  The  part 
longest  marled  had  the  best  crow  foot. 

Lime  is  thought  in  England  to  prevent  smut  in  wheat — to  destroy  many 
injurious  insects — -to  preserve  sheep  pastured  on  land  after  its  use  from  rot 
and  foot-rot — and  it  is  every  where  regarded  as  improving  the  healthfulness 
of  drained  lands.  In  short,  it  is  now  generally  agreed,  not  only  by  scientific 
men,  but  by  the  best  and  most  experienced  farmers  in  every  part  of  the  world 
where  it  has  heen  properly  tested,  that  “ Lime  is  the  basis  of  all  good  hus 
bandry,” — in  which  opinion  I fully  and  cordially  concur. 

In  endeavoring  to  furnish  you  with  something  like  a theory  of  the  action 
of  Lime,  I have  stated  some — perhaps  many  things — which  are  questioned 
by  men  of  great  scientific  attainments.  Agricultural  Chemistry — indeed 
'the  whole  science  of  chemistry — may  be  said  to  be  yet  in  infancy.  If  it  is 
•difficult  to  penetrate  the  arcana  of  passive  nature,  it  is  far  more  so  to  inves- 
tigate those  active  operations  which  are  conducted  in  the  air  and  under  the 
ground,  in  the  formation  of  plants,  complicated  as  they  are  in  addition  by 
the  yet  unknown  vital  agency  of  the  plant  itself.  Although,  on  the  whole, 
the  art  of  agriculture  has  been  vastly  advanced  by  the  discoveries  and  exper- 
iments-of  chemists,  and  he  who  shuts  his  eyes  to  the  light  they  are  constantly 
sheding  for  the  benefit  of  farmers,  is  now,  and  will  soon  be  much  farther 
behind  his  age  ; still  it  is  well  known  that  great  absurdities  have  been  put 
forward  and  with  the  utmost  confidence,  by  the  most  eminent  characters  in 
modern  science.  In  speaking,  then,  of  the  peculiar  action  of  any  of  the 
elements  out  of  which  plants  are  formed,  and  its  agency  in  the  mysterious 
operations  consummated  in  the  production  of  a full-grown,  matured  and  fruit- 
bearing plant,  it  is  not  only  becoming,  but  necessary  that  every  one,  most 
especially  a mere  farmer  like  myself,  should  express  opinions  with  great 
diffidence  and  caution,  and  hesitate  before  drawing  even  from  established 
facts,  inferences  of  important  and  extensive  bearing.  In  view  of  this,  I 
ought  not  to  omit  to  state  to  you,  that  within  a few  years  past,  a sweeping 
theory  has  been  suggested  by  one  of  the  first  chemists  and  most  popular 
writers  of  the  age,  that  has  found  some  able  supporters,  and  which  if  true, 
apparently  upsets  every  thing  that  has  been  said  of  the  effect  of  lime  and 
iin  furnishing  food  to  growing  plants  out  of  decayed  vegetable  matter.  Dr. 
Liebig  asserts  that  the  decayed  vegetable  matter  of  the  soil  called  humus  or 
mould,  affords  no  direct  nourishment  whatever  to  plants.  That  they  derive 
all  their  organic  constituents  from  the  atmosphere,  and  only  their  inorganic 
•from  the  earth.  The  organic  constituents  of  plants  are  those  which  are 
.dissipated  when  they  are  burnt,  and  in  most  vegetables  amount  to  from  97  to 


PROCEEDINGS. 


407 


83  parts  in  100.  The  inorganic  constituents  compose  the  ashes  which  are 
left  by  fire,  amounting  usually  from  1 to  3 parts  in  100,  in  some  rare  cases 
to  as  much  as  12  per  cent.  The  only  nourishment  which,  according  to  this 
theory,  the  soil  affords  to  plants,  being  thus  limited  to  from  1 to  3 parts  in  100, 
the  utmost  direct  influence  of  good  or  bad  soils,  of  manure  of  all  kinds — 
of  lime,  alumina,  silica,  and  all  mineral  elements,  can  reach  no  further  than 
to  the  modification  of  an  hundredth  or  at  most  a thirty-third  part  of  the  crops 
we  cultivate.  It  follows  that  the  world  has  all  this  time  labored  under  a most 
important  error  in  estimating  at  such  vastly  different  values,  what  we  caM 
rich  and  poor  lands.  That  the  effects  of  manure  are  in  a great  measure 
fanciful,  or  at  least  that  from  1 to  3 lbs  of  ashes  are  equivlant  to  100  lbs. 
qf  vegetable  matter,  as  an  application  to  the  soil,  and  that  it  is  useless  labor 
to  put  on  manure  in  any  other  form.  Knowing  as  we  do  that  a single  drop  of 
prussic  acid  will  almost  instantly  extinguish  life,  it  would  not  be  fair  to  deny 
very  great  influence  to  even  the  smallest  proportion  of  inorganic  matter  in  the 
production  of  plants.  Arid  since  Liebig  concedes  that  until  the  leaves  are 
formed,  the  plant  derives  its  carbonic  aeid  from  an  artificial  atmosphere  gen- 
erated by  the  contact  of  humus  in  the  soil  with  the  air,  it  would  not  be  safe 
to  denounce  this  theory  in  the  present  state  of  science,  a3  absurd.  It  is 
admitted  too  on  all  sides  that  plants  do  assimilate  carbon  from  the  atmos- 
phere, and  it  seems  established  that  ammonify  descends  in  rain  water. — 
However  true  this  may  be,  and  through  Liebig’s  theory  was  established  as 
perfectly  so  in  all  its  parts,  I should  think  it  most  prudent  to  hold  on  still  to 
what  experience  and  rational  deduction  have  taught  us  of  the  influence  of 
vegetable  mould  on  crops,  in  the  hope  that  further  discoveries  might  har- 
monize old  facts  and  new  truths,  especially  as  none  of  us  would  set  about 
limproving  the  atmosphere,  or  desire  to  add  more  carbonic  acid  or  nitrogen 
to  it,  sinee  any  material  increase  of  these  elements  would  render  it  fatal  to 
animal  life,  indeed,  no  scientific  discoveries  or  force  of  logic  can  ever,  I 
am  convinced,  for  an  instant  shake  your  confidence  or  that  of  any  practical 
farmer,  in  vegetable  mould  and  compost  manure;  or  lead  you  to  doubt 
that  the  amount  of  your  crop,  if  properly  tilled  under  fair  seasons,  depended 
in  all  other  respects  wholly  and  solely  on  the  quality  of  your  land.  Whether 
the  soil  furnishes  1 part  or  $9  parts  in  a hundred — you  have  too  often  seen 
plants  on  the  same  acre  subject  to  the  same  identical  atmospheric  influences 
throughout  varying  from  good  to  worthless,  according  to  the  soil,  to  question 
the  important  faet  that  fey  improving  your  land  you  improve  your  crop  in  the 
same  ratio  precisely,  and  that  by  exhausting  it  you  equally  deteriorate  the 
crop. 

In  fact,  depth  of  sod,  by  which  we  mean  depth  of  decayed  vegetable 
'mould,  depth  of  decayed  vegetable  mould  mixed  with  sand,  day,  &c.,  has 


408 


AGRICULTURAL 


been  with  you,  as  wi;h  all  the  world,  heretofore,  a criterion,  and  a never 
failing  one,  of  the  value  of  land,  and  so  it  will  forever  continue  to  be,  I ven- 
ture to  assert.  If  then,  as  I believe,  and  you  will  probably  agree,  plants 
derive  their  most  important  constituents  of  ail  kinds  from  the  soil  and  from 
vegetable  mould,  the  value  of  lime  in  the  soil  is  by  no  means  limited  to  its 
action  on  the  mineral  or  inorganic  constituents  of  it,  but  extends  to  the  pro- 
duction also  of  those  organic  elements  which  preponderate  so  immensely  in 
aLl  vegetation. 

But  your  inquiry  of  me  was  in  reference  to  Marl.  I must  therefore  re- 
mind you  again,  that  all  which  has  been  said  of  lime  is  true  of  marl.  If  it 
is  slower  than  lime  in  its  early  operations,  that  is  more  than  compensated  by 
many  advantages  which  it  possesses.  This  is  becoming  so  well  understood, 
that  wherever  the  same  quantity  of  lime  can  be  placed  on  land  as  cheaply 
in  the  form  of  marl,  it  is  rapidly  superseding  the  use  of  it  in  all  other  forms. 
Marl  contains  besides  carbonate  of  lime,  other  valuable  constituents.  Its 
silex  and  alumina,  though  fine  in  quality,  are  not  of  much  consequence,  since 
they  are  never  thus  applied  in  sufficient  quantities  to  effect  the  soil  materially 
But  some  marls — those  in  Virginia,  for  instance— contain  sometimes  sulphate 
of  lime  and  the  valuable  green  sand  of  which  I have  spoken.  As  the  sul- 
phate of  lime  exists  there  in  Eocene  Marl  it  may  be  discovered  in  our  forma- 
tion. I have  seen  green  sand  411  specimens  from  several  localities  in  this  State. 
A deposit  of  green  sand,  such  as  is  found  and  used  to  an  immense  extent  in 
New  Jersey,  would  be  more  valuable  in  your  county  than  the  richest  gold 
mine  in  the  world.  There  is  none  of  it  at  Shell  Bluff.  I have  already 
spoken  of  phosphate  of  lime.  In  marl  from  Ashley  river,  in  this  State, 
which  belongs  to  the  same  formation  as  our  marls,  5 per  cent.,  of  this  phos- 
phate has  been  discovered.  From  some  crude  experiments  of  my  own,  I 
am  inclined  to  believe  it  exists  in  some  of  the  marls  at  Shell  Bluff,  and 
probably  in  yours  ; to  what  extent  I would  not  undertake  to  say.  But  §•  per 
cent,  of  it  would  give  you  the  equivalent  of  nine  bushels  of  ground  bones 
in  every  hundred  bushels  of  marl,  which  alone  would  be  worth  more  than 
the  whole  cost  of  applying  that  quantity  of  marl,  though  the  expense  of  1 1 
might  be  five  dollars.  We  cannot,  however, expect  to  find  it  in  such  quantity 
in  all  the  marls  we  use.  Those  will  probably  be  richest  in  it  in  which  are 
found  remains  of  bones  and  teeth.  In  the  shell  marls  on  the  Rhine,  recent 
analysis  has  detected  an  important  preportion  of  azote,  derived  it  is  supposed 
from  animal  matter.  This  is  the  most  powerful,  as  you  know,  of  all  manures. 
There  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  a scrutiny  equally  rigid  would  disclose 
a valuable  proportion  of  it  in  our  shell  marls  here. 

The  duration  of  marl  in  the  soil,  is  undoubtedly  greater  than  that  of  lime- 
The  question  of  the  duration.-  of  calcareous-  earth  applied  to  lands,  is  one  o 


PROCEEDINGS. 


409 


great  importance  itself,  and  about  which  you  will  no  dcubl  desire  to  be  satis- 
fied before  attempting  to  use  it.  I have  mentioned  already,  that  the  ancients 
regarded  marl  as  producing  its  effects  from  10  to  80  years.  Lord  Karnes 
states  an  instance  of  their  being  observable  for  120  years,  and  Mr.  Ruffin 
another  of  00  years.  Few  or  no  records  of  such  experiments  have  been 
handed  down  from  generation  to  generation.  In  those  countries  where  lime 
and  marl  have  been  used  most  extensively  and  for  the  longest  period,  it  is 
impossible  to  say  how  the  land  produced  before  they  were  applied  at  all,  in 
comparison  with  its  production  now.  Of  late  years,  more  accurate  accounts 
have  been  kept.  The  peculiar  effects  first  observed  to  follow  the  application 
of  lime,  have  been  thought  to  disappear  or  materially  diminish  at  various 
periods,  reaching  from  4 to  40  years,  according  to  the  amount  applied  and 
other  circumstances.  It  is  supposed  by  writers  and  farmers  abroad,  that 
about  3J-  bushels  of  it  are  consumed  peraunum  by  theciop,  and  that  in  gen- 
eral the  influence  of  any  quantity  will  cease  in  from  12  to  20  years.  But 
these  conclusions  are  not  to  be  relied  on.  It  is  certain  that  no  crop  will  take 
off  so  large  an  amount  as  3|  bushels,  and  the  loss  from  other  causes  is  alto- 
gether indefinite.  While  though  at  the  end  of  20  years,  the  same  precise 
effects  as  at  first  may  no  longer  be  observable,  it  by  no  means  follows  that 
this  may  not  be  owing  to  the  want  proper  application  of  other  manures  that 
would  excite  the  lime  again  to  its  original  action.  Mr.  Ruffin  thinks  that 
marl  once  placed  on  land,  will  endure  as  long  as  the  clay  and  sand  in  it 
Though  we  might  not  indulge  fully  in  this  belief,  I am  of  opinion  that  it  wii! 
last  for  a period  which  may  be  called  indefinite,  from  its  remoteness — par- 
ticularly when  crops  are  grown  such  as  vve  cultivate.  Irish  potatoes  con- 
sume more  lime  than  any  other  crop,  perhaps  ; nine  tons,  which  are  some- 
times grown  upon  an  acre,  though  not  with  us,  abstract  about  26G  lbs;  or  say 
3J  bushels  ; but  260  lbs.  are  contained  in  the  tops,  which  we  never  take 
from  the  land.  A thousand  bushels  of  turnips,  tops  and  all,  consume  about 
two  bushels  of  lime.  Wheat,  the  cultivation  of  which  is  extending  among 
us,  requires  for  a crop  of  twenty-five  bushels,  straw  and  all,  about  nine  pounds 
or  a half  peck.  Cotton  and  corn  d > not  require  more.  Seed  cotton  suffi- 
cient to  make  a bale  of  400  lbs  ; that  is  1400  lbs.  in  the  seed,  will  consume 
about  three  pounds,  and  most  of  that  in  the  seed  which  is  invariably  restored 
to  the  land.  If  we  treble  this  amount  for  the  stalks  and  leaves,  which  how- 
ever usually  rot  on  the  ground,  the  exhaustion  of  lime  by  our  heaviest  cotton 
crops  will  not  exceed  halt  a peck  when  every  thing  is  taken  off.  Thirty 
bushels  of  corn  will  consume  only  about  1-J  pounds  of  lime  ; if  we  add  six 
times  this  amount  for  the  cob,  shuck,  blades  and  stalk,  it  will  not  require  more 
than  cotton  or  wheat.  I am  not  aware  that  our  cotton  stalks,  or  our  corn- 
cobs, shucks,  stalks  or  blades,  have  ever  been  analyzed  ; but  I have,  I think, 


410 


AGRICULTURAL 


fully  allowed  for  the  lime  they  may  contain.  And  at  these  rates  of  exhaus- 
tion, 30  bushels  of  lime,  which  is  about  the  quantity  contained  in  100  bush- 
els of  mail  that  has  60  per  cent.,  of  the  carbonate,  will  supply  the  wants  of 
our  usual  crops,  when  much  larger  than  we  now  overage,  for  240  years,  if 
the  land  was  cultivated  so  long  without  rest  or  restoring  any  thing  to  it.  The 
consumption  of  the  crop  then  is  next  to  nothing.  The  loss  arising  from 
other  causes  is  undoubtedly  greater.  Quick-lime  dissolves  in  750  parts  of 
water.  A fall  of  44  inches  of  rain,  which  is  less  than  the  annual  average 
quantity  that  falls  here,  would  afford  water  sufficient  to  dissolve  170  bushels 
per  acre.  Quick-lime  when  spread  on  land,  however,  becomes  a carbonate, 
and  nearly  insoluable,  too  soon  to  lose  to  this  extent.  Still,  a considerable 
amount  might  be  lost  in  this  way,  by  a heavy  rain  immediately  after  liming. 
Lime  after  being  burnt,  falls  into  a powder.  Its  minute  particles  are  forced 
by  showers,  aided  by  deep  plowing  into  the  sub-soil,  and  much  may  be  thus 
carried  off.  When  these  things . are  considered,  it  is  obvious  that  all  the 
lime  in  land  may  in  time  be  exhausted,  as  it  has  been  from  our  “ drifted 
soils.  But  the  chances  of  its  duration  are  greatly  increased  by  being  applied 
in  the  form  of  marl.  Being  a carbonate,  it  is  soluable  by  the  carbonic  acid 
in  rain  water  only  in  small  quantities,  and  ages  must  elapse  before  it  could 
dissolve  and  carry  off  any  great  amount ; and  not  having  been  reduced  to  a 
fine  powder,  its  particles  are  too  large  to  be  readily  driven  down  into  the  sub- 
soil. below  the  reach  of  the  plow.  Without,  then,  assigning  any  precise  limit 
for  the  duration  of  marl,  I think  it  may  be  safely  concluded,  that  the  effects 
of  a sufficient  application,  under  proper  culture,  will  last  for  a longer  period 
than  we  can  conceive  ourselves  to  have  any  direct  interest  in  the  land  to 
which  we  may  apply  it. 

With  regard  to  what  is  a sufficient  application,  there  is  a great  diversity  of 
opinion  and  consequently  of  practice.  Viewing  it  chiefly  as  a direct  manure, 
in  many  parts  of  Europe,  lime  is  applied  at  the  rate  of  8 to  10  bushels  per 
acre  annually — in  others,  at  10  to  12  bushels  every  third  year  ; and  again,  in 
other  parts,  at  40  to  50  bushels  every  twelve  years.  But  as  its  indirect 
effects  are  as  important,  and  far  more  numerous  than  its  direct,  and  it  is 
therefore  an  invaluable  elementary  constituent  of  soils,  the  true  rule  for  its 
application  undoubtedly  is  to  furnish  the  soil  at  once,  if  possible,  with  as  much 
as  its  constitution  will  bear,  and  to  repeat  the  dose  as  frequently  as  the  im- 
provement of  that  constitution  will  permit,  since  the  more  lime,  every  thing 
else  being  in  due  proportion,  the  larger  the  crops.  Acting  on  this  principle, 
many  farmers  in  Europe  put  on  3 to  400  bushels  of  lime  at  once,  and  some- 
times 1000.  Such  liming  is  probably  excessive  there,  and  in  our  climate 
would  be  utterly  destructive.  Marl,  however,  containing  from  50  to  70  per 
cent,  of  carb.  of  lime,  may  be  safely  used  in  four  times  the  quantity  we 


PROCEEDINGS. 


411 


can  use  quick  lime.  The  usual  dose  of  marl  of  that  quality  in  Virginia, 
varies  from  2 to  800  bushels.  But  more  can  be  applied  even  in  Virginia 
than  here.  The  hotter  the  climate,  the  more  caution  is  necessary  in  the  first 
dose  at  least.  Though  this  is  greatly  dependent  on  the  condition  of  the  land 
to  be  marled.  In  the  hot  and  dry  climate  of  Egypt,  the  fruitful  Delta  of  the 
Nile  contains  25  per  cent,  of  carb.  of  lime,  which  is  equivalent  in  one  foot 
depth  of  soil,  to  some  20,000  bushels  per  acre  of  marl  containing  50  per 
cent.:  but  that  soil  is  much  deeper,  and  its  vegetable  mould  inexhaustible. 
Depth  of  soil,  and  the  amount  of  vegetable  matter  in  it,  must  chiefly  regulate 
the  quantity  of  marl.  M.  Puvis  has  given  an  interesting  table  in  reference 
to  this.  He  thinks  that  we  may  give  to  a soil  three  inches  deep,  40  bushels 
of  marl,  containing  60  per  ct.  of  carb.  of  lime,  or  50  bushels  containing 
50  perct.;  and  to  a soil  six  inches  deep,  80  bushels  at  60  per.  ct.,  or  100  at 
50  per  ct.  He  does  not  refer  to  the  vegetable  matter,  or  other  ciicumstan- 
ces  of  the  soil.  I presume  that  the  depths  of  the  soils  you  cultivate  range 
between  the  extreme  s stated,  or  at  least  that  you  seldom  plow,  and  w'ould  not, 
therefore,  mix  the  marl  deeper  than  six  inches.  I think  the  amounts  he  speci. 
fies  are  very  safe.  As  some  of  my  lands  are  similar  to  yours,  and  our  cli- 
mates the  same,  I will  give  you  my  experience  on  this  point.  I began  to 
marl  by  putting  200  bushels  per  acre,  that  averaged  about  60  per  ct.  carb.  of 
lime.  On  old  mulatto  land,  with  a soil  about  six  inches  deep,  and  con- 
taining about  4 perct.  of  vegetable  matter,  I have  not  yet,  after  four  years, 
perceived  an  injury  from  it.  On  lighter  land,  containing  less  vegetable  matter, 
and  a soil  four  to  five  inches  deep,  I discovered  marl  burns  the  second  year. 
Previously  to  this  discovery,  however,  I had  taken  the  alarm,  and  reduced 
the  quantity  to  150  bushels,  on  land  similar  to  the  last  mentioned.  On  all 
the  thin  spots  I perceived  the  “ marl  burn”  from  this  amount.  I then  further 
reduced  the  mar!  to  100  bushels  per  acre,  from  which  I have  as  yet  perceived 
no  injury.  Being  now  about  to  finish  the  marling  of  all  my  open  land,  it  is 
my  intention  to  go  over  it  again,  and  to  add  50  bushels  per  acre  at  a time, 
until  I have  given  to  all  200  bushels.  I shall  by  no  means,  however,  venture 
to  do  this  until,  by  resting  and  manuring,  I have  also  furnished  to  it  addition- 
al vegetable  matter. 

I think  I may  safely  recommend  you  to  apply  100  bushels  per  acre,  of 
the  richest  marl  you  have,  to  any  land  that  now  gives  you  remunerating  crops» 
and  200  bushels,  or  more,  to  your  best  lands.  If  they  are  low  and  sour 
they  will  bear  still  more.  I am  now  putting  250  to  300  bushels  on  some 
swamps  1 have  drained,  which  have  several  feet  of  vegetable  mould.  I 
should  not  be  afraid  to  put  1000  bushels  per  acre  on  such  land — though 
here  1 think  quick  lime  would  be  the  best  application,  as  it  would  hasten 
decomposition. 

It  is  always  most  convenient  to  apply  marl  to  resting  lands,  and  it  is  also  a 
great  advantage  to  secure,  by  this  means,  a new  coat  of  decaying  vegetation 


412 


AGRICULTURAL 


to  start  with.  So  new  grounds  should  be  marled  the  first  year:  if  marled 
before  clearing  it  would  be  better  still.  Very  old  and  exhausted  land  should 
be  rested  two  years  previously  to  marling  ; and  in  all  cases,  thin  knolls 
should,  if  possible,  be  manured  when  marled.  But  a little  experience  will 
furnish  you  the  best  guides  in  this  regard — you  will  soon  discover  all  the 
dangers,  and  learn  to  apply  till  the  remedies. 

Experience  will  also  teach  you  in  a very  short  time,  the  best  and  most 
convenient  methods  of  digging,  carting,  and  spreading  marl.  There  are 
some  difficulties  connected  with  digging  from  marl  pits,  which,  with  the 
means  of  overcoming  them,  are  stilted  in  Mr.  Ruffin’s  work.  They  arise 
chiefly  from  water,  which  must  be  drained  off,  or  pumped  out,  according  to 
circumstances.  I have  no  experience  on  this  point.  My  marl  is  cut  from  the 
face  of  the  cliff  at  Shell  Bluff.  It  is  estimated  that  if  a strata  of  marl  is  12 
teet  thick,  12  feet  of  covering  may  he  removed  to  procure  it,  without  haz- 
arding too  much.  But  should  you  find  marl,  you  need  not  apprehend  much 
danger  of  working  through  it.  The  great  formation  of  which  it  is  a part,  is 
of  unknown  depth.  Over  100  feet  of  it  is  exposed  at  Shell  Blufi';  it  has 
been  penetrated  more  than  300  feet  in  Charleston. 

In  hauling  out  marl,  the  most  economical  method  is  to  use  carts  with  two 
mules  or  horses.  In  a cart  properly  made,  they  will  haul  18  bushels  at  a 
load  as  easily  as  one  mule  will  haul  6.  The  carts  should  be  made  with  three 
shafts,  so  as  to  divide  the  weight  of  the  load  equally  between  the  mules,  and 
the  tread  of  the  wheels  should  be  4 inches — axle-trees  of  iron.  In  putting 
on  100  bushels  to  the  acre,  the  land  should  be  divided  by  furrow's  into  squares 
28  yards  each  way.  This  will  give  6 to  the  acre.  A load  of  18  bushels  to 
each  square  will  rather  exceed  100  bushels  per  acre,  but  some  will  always  be 
lost.  The  full  effect  of  marl  cannot  be  felt  until  it  is  thoroughly  mixed  with 
the  soil.  Hence  the  first  year,  little  is  to  be  expected  from  it,  and  it  seldom 
reaches  its  maximum  until  the  fourth  crop — not  always  then.  Its  effects  may 
be  hastened,  and  what  is  also  important,  rendered  equal,  by  spreading  it  with 
regularity  over  the  land.  It  is  best,  therefore,  to  sow  it  broad-cast  with 
the  hand.  Each  labourer  should  take  his  square  and  spread  the  pile,  using  a 
tray  or  board  to  assist  him.  A hand  will  spread  9 piles,  of  18  bushels  each, 
in  a day. 

The  distance  to  which  marl  may  be  carted  depends  altogether  upon  circum- 
stances— one  of  which  is  the  quality  of  the  marl — another,  that  of  the  land  ; 
others,  the  facilities  for  digging,  state  of  the  roads,  &c.  Along  the  coast  of 
Scotland,  it  is  transported  by  sea  from  80  to  100  miles.  I have  been  very 
recently  informed,  that  at  a single  marl  bank  on  James  river,  in  Virginia, 
10  rigged  lighters  are  now  engaged  in  delivering  marl  to  a distance  of  from 
8 to  20  miles  up  and  down  the  river,  receiving  3 cents  per  bushel  for  it, 
though  it  is  much  inferior  to  ours  in  quality'.  The  marl  I use,  averages 


PROCEEDINGS. 


413 


about  60  per  cent,  of  carb.  of  lime.  I cut  tbe  whole  of  it  down  at  Shell 
Bluff,  and  boat  it  12  miles  up  the  Savannah  river,  re-land  and  cart  it.  I 
have  marled  about  700  acres  within  a mile  of  my  landing  here — but  I have 
hauled  some  marl  4 miles,  and  have  spread  it  on  about  500  acres,  the  near* 
est  part  of  which  is  over  three  miles  from  the  river.  This  is  of  course  very 
expensive;  but  I think  it  profitable,  notwithstanding.  If  1 could  lay  down 
any  rule  to  regulate  the  cost  of  marling,  it  would  be  this  : That  where 

land  is  deficient  in  lime,  it  would  he  a safe  operation  to  expend  an  amount 
equal  to  tbe  present  value  of  it,  if  so  much  should  be  necessary  to  marl  it 
sufficiently.  This  rule  I suggest  upon  the  principle,  that  it  would  be  profita- 
ble  to  pay  twice  for  land,  if  you  could  thereby  double  its  production  without 
materially  increasing  the  cost  of  cultivation. 

You  will  naturally  inquire,  whether  any  one  might  reasonably  calculate 
on  doubling  the  production  of  his  land. by  marling.  I believe  he  may,  if  the 
marl  is  judiciously  applied  and  the  proper  system  of  after  cultivation  adopted. 
I have  seen  but  few  statements  of  the  actual  results  of  marling  in  Europe. 
It  is  said  ir,  gereral  terms  to  produce  a great  increase,  though  occasionally 
it  is  mentioned  that  the  crops  were  doubled.  So  perfectly  established  is  the 
use  of  lime  and  marl  there,  that  everyone  who  can  procure  them,  uses  them 
as  a matter  of  course.  It  is  not  considered  an  experiment,  and  tables  of 
results  are  not  therefore  given — at  least,  I have  seen  none.  A few  years 
ago,  Mr.  Ruffin  addressed  interrogatories  touching  tbe  effect  of  marl  as  ex* 
hibited  in  tbe  crops,  to  a number  of  the  most  respectable  farmers  of  Vir* 
ginia,  who  had  used  it,  and  received  answers  from  twenty-two,  many  of 
whom  had  marled  extensively  and  for  a number  of  years  past.  These 
answers  were  published  in  the  Farmer’s  Register  and  in  Mr.  Ruffin’s  Re« 
port  on  his  Agricultural  Survey  of  South  Carolina.  Their  marl  was  of 
various  qualities,  applied  in  varions  amounts  per  acre,  and  on  different  kinds 
of  land,  which  bad  been  subjected  generally  to  very  severe  cropping  before. 
No  one  of  these  estimated  the  increase  of  his  crops  from  marling  at  less 
than  double,  and  some  of  them  rated  it  as  high  as  400  per  cent.  I have  no 
doubt,  that  under  favorable  circumstances  and  good  management,  the  last 
mentioned  increase,  enormons  as  it  is,  may  be  often  realized.  The  pros- 
pect, however,  of  doubling  the  crop  with  reasonable  certainty,  is  promise 
enough  one  would  think,  to  set  every  one  to  marling  who  can  do  it  within  the 
cost  I have  mentioned.  I have  not  myself,  yet  doubled  my  own  crop  by  tbe 
use  of  marl,  nor  might  the  practical  results  of  it,  which  1 ought  to  state,  be 
so  striking  to  a careless  observer  as  he  might  expect,  after  all  I have  said  on 
the  subject.  They  satisfy  me,  however  ; and  I feel  perfectly  certain  that  in 
a short  time,  the  crops  on  all  the  laitd  I plant,  will  be  at  least  doubled,  from 
the  effects  of  marl  alone,  and  much  more  than  doubled,  in  consequence  of 
other  additional  applications  I am  making.  I commenced  marling  in 


414 


AGRICULTURAL 


November,  1841.  1 marled  only  175  acres  for  the  crop  of  1842,  the  resul'S 

of  which  1 reported  to  our  State  Agricultural  Societ\,  as  1 did  those  of  1843, 
on  the  same  land.  They  were  published,  and  some  of  you  may  have  seen 
them — l will  therefore  only  repeat  the  tabular  statement  of  those  years,  and 
add  to  it  that  of  the  past  year.  In  1844,  these  lands  rested.  The  experu 
ment  marked  No.  1,  was  made  on  mulatto  land  lying  on  the  river  bluff, 
which  in  appearance,  and  perhaps  in  most  other  respects,  is  much  the  same 
as  the  best  upland  cotton  soils  in  your  county  which  have  been  as  long  in 
cultivation.  Experimr  nt  No.  2,  was  on  light,  sandy  soil — the  sand  is  very 
fine,  but  altogether,  the  soil  is  as  inferior  as  any  probably  that  you  plant  in 
cotton.  1 could  scarcely  have  selected  lands  less  calculated  to  give  the  marl 
a fair  chance— -both  having  been  cleared  more  than  a century  ago — badly 
scourged,  and  of  course  greatly  exhausted  of  vegetable  matter. 


Experiment  No.  1.  Mulatto  Land. 


1842.  i 

Seed  Colton.  Less  than  mmarhd 
acre. 

More  than  unmarltd 
acre. 

Per  d.‘. 

Acre  not  marled. 

1111  lbs. 

Do.  marled  100  bush. 

846  “ 265  lbs. 

30. 

Do.  do.  200  “ 

100-3  “ 108  “ 

10.7 

I)o.  do.  300  “ 

1318  “ 

207  lbs. 

17.7 

1843. 

Acre  not  marled. 

493  lbs. 

Do.  marled  100  bush.  654  “ 

161  ibs. 

32.6 

Do.  do.  200  “ 

759  “ 

266  “ 

53  9 

Do.  do.  300  “ 

841  “ 

348  “ 

70. 

1844. 

Rested. 

1845. 

Acre  not  marled. 

324  lbs. 

Do.  marled  100  bush.  4^1  “ 

157  lbs. 

48.4 

Do.  do.  200  « 

584  “ 

260  “ 

80.2 

Do.  do.  300  " 

642  “ 

318  “ 

98. 

Experiment  No.  2.  Sandy 

Land. 

1842. 

Less  than  unmarled 
Corn‘  acre. 

Mote  than  unmarltd 
acre. 

Per  ct. 

Acre  not  marled. 

17  bush. 

Dot- marled  100  bush, 

, 21  “ 

4 bush. 

23.5 

Dot  do.  200 

21 

4 “ 

23.5 

Dot-  do.  300  “ 

184  " 

14  “ 

8.9 

PROCEEDINGS* 

415 

1843. 

Seed  Cotton. 

Acre  not  marled. 

361  lbs. 

Do.  marled  100  bu>h. 

451  “ 

90  lbs. 

24.9 

Do.  do.  200  “ 

:-?84  *• 

23  “ 

6.3 

Do.  do.  300  “ 

173  “ 

188 

.* 

108.6 

1844. 

Rested. 

1845. 

Acre  not  marled. 

230  lbs. 

Do*  marled  100  bush. 

317  “ 

88  lbs. 

37*7 

Do.  do.  200  “ 

301  •* 

71  “ 

30.8 

Do.  do.  300  “ 

159  •* 

71 

<» 

44, G 

The  first  thing  that  will  strike  you  on  looking  at  this  table,  will  be,  that  the 
Crops  have  regularly  and  excessively  diminished,  from  the  time  the  land  wa9 
marled.  It  might  be  concluded  that  I had  ruined  my  land  by  marling.  Such 
I will  candidly  own  would  have  been  my  own  conclusion,  if  fortunately  I 
had  not  kept  these  unmarled  acres  to  test  the  success  of  my  operations* 
Disastrous  as  have  been  the  three  last  crop  seasons  in  this  section  of  country, 
I would  not  have  believed  it  possible  that  there  could  have  been  such  a falling 
off"  from  seasons  alone,  and  I should  have  abandoned  marl,  in  spite  of  the 
experience  of  the  rest  of  the  world  as  injurious  at  least  to  my  soil.  But 
great  as  lias  been  the  decrease  of  production  on  all  the  acres,  it  has  been  far 
greatest  on  the  unmarled  ones.  That  of  the  others  has  comparatively 
steadily  increased,  except  the  200  and  300  bushel  acres  in  No.  2,  both  too 
heavily  marled,  but  both  recovering  again  under  the  rest  of  1S44.  In  No* 
1,  the  acre  with  100  bushels  has  increased  from  30  per  cent,  below,  to  48.4 
per  cent,  above  the  unmarled  one — making  an  actual  comparative  increase 
of  78.4  per  cent.  The  acre  with  200  bushels,  has  in  the  same  way  in* 
creased  90.9  per.  cent.  Both  these  acres  are  decidedly  inferior  to  the  other 
two  in  No.  1,  and  have,  I do  not  doubt,  produced  this  year  double  what 
they  would  haVe  done  without  marl.  The  other  two  acres  in  No.  1.  are  a 
pretty  fair  test  of  the  influence  of  marl,  being  as  nearly  equal  in  quality  as 
could  have  been  selected.  The  sandy  land,  in  time  and  with  proper  man- 
agement, will,  I am  certain  exhibit  results  fully  as  favourably  as  the  mulatto 
land.  It  was  too  far  exhausted  when  marled.  I did  not  reserve  test  acres 
on  any  other  fields,  but  I feel  sure  that  they  have  derived  equal  advantage 
from  the  marl,  in  proof  of  which  1 could  state  many  facts  to  one  present  on 
the  spot,  which  it  would  be  tedious  to  mention  and  explain  fully  in  this  letter. 
I will  only  state  one  : The  unmarlbd'acre  in  No.  1,  is  one  of  the  best  acres 
I plant.  In  1842,  it  yielded  1111  lbs.  The  average  of  my-  whole  crop 
crop  that  year,  was  666  lbs.  per  acre.  The  last  year,  the  same  acre,  after 


416 


AGRICULTURAL 


a rest,  prod  need  324  lbs.  The  average  of  my  crop  was  391  lbs.  per  acic. 
Thus,  the  yield  of  the  unmarled  acre,  was  in  one  instance  66.8  per  ct.  above 
and  in  the  other,  20.6  percent,  below  the  general  average— making  a dif- 
ference of  87.4,  percent,  in  favor  of  the  marled  lands.  Let  me  add  that 
in  184-2  the  unmarled  acre  in  No.  2 produced  8.8  per  cent,  less  than  the 
average  of  the  crop,  tn  1843  it  fell  to  37.6  per  cent.,  and  in  1845  to  70 
per  cent,  below  the  general  average.  If  these  facts  may  be  assumed  as 
data,  on  which  to  base  a calculation,  had  the  last  year  been  as  favourable  in 
all  respects  as  1842,  the  average  of  mv  cotton  crop  must  have  been  over 
1200  lbs.  of  seed  per  acre,  and  of  my  corn  crop  over  28  bushels  per  acre 
This  however  is  only  a paper  calculation,  and  1842  was  a fine  crop  year. 
Time  will  reveal  the  truth. 

I cannot  give  you  a better  evidence  of  the  firmness  of  my  faith  in  the  vir- 
tue of  marl,  than  to  state,  that  notwithstanding  the  discouragements  of  the 
last  three  extraordinary  seasons,  1 have,  at  great  expense,  brought  up  from 
Shell  Bluff,  within  four  years,  over  300,000  bushels,  carted  it  out,  and  spread 
it  over  about  2300  acres  of  land  ; and  am  at  this  moment  as  actively  engag. 
ed  at  it  as  ever.  Nor  do  I look  forward  to  a period  when  I expect  to  cease 
using  it  to  a considerable  extent  every  year,  either  on  fresh  lands,  or  in  in* 
creasing  the  dose  on  those  already  marled.  It  would  be  leading  you  into 
error,  however,  to  leave  you  to  suppose  that  I rely  solely  on  the  marl  to  im- 
prove my  lands.  Rest,  in  connection  With  it,  is  indispensable,  and  manure 
becomes  far  more  beneficial.  I have,  accordingly,  by  opening  more  land,  and 
reducing  my  planting,  enabled  myself  to  rest,  annually,  one  third  of  my  fields. 
And  I have  already  hauled  out  and  mixed  together,  for  the  coming  crop, 
96,000  bushels  of  muck,  and  48,000  bushels  of  manure  from  stables  and  sta- 
ble yards,  hog  and  ox  pens,  &c.,  having  yet  about  20,000  bushels  more  to 
carry  out  before  planting.  1 shall  not  only  endeavor  to  increase  this  amount 
of  manure  every  year  hereafter,  but  also,  by  clearing,  and  reducing  the  land 
in  cultivation,  to  rest,  as  nearly  ns  may  be  requisite,  each  field,  every  other 
year.  Indeed,  the  management  of  land,  after  it  is  marled,  is  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  the  efficiency  and  profit  of  marl.  Though  lime  is  itself  a 
portion  of  the  foo  I of  plants,  and  therefore  a manure,  this  is  perhaps  the  very 
least  of  its  virtues.  Its  indirect  operations  are  far  more  important.  It  is  the 
grand  agent  that  prepares  for  the  crop  nearly  all  the  food  which  the  earth 
furnishes.  It  is  the  purveyor  general — no — the  Fanner  must  fill  that  office  ; 
it  is  the  “ chef  de  cuisine ” that  selects  the  ingredients,  mixes,  and  seasons 
almost  every  dish  to  suit  the  delicate  appetite  of  the  growing  plant.  It  is 
from  the  materia's  placed  in  the  soil  by  nature,  or  the  industrious  husband, 
man,  that  this  skilful  artist  draws  the  rich  repasts  it  furnishes  ; and  it  could 
no  more  furnish  them  without  these  materials,  than  your  cook  could  make  your 


PROCEEDINGS. 


417 


■soap  without  joints  and  spices.  The  larder  of  the  marl  must  then  be  amply 
supplied.  The  means  of  doing  it  are  rest  and  manure.  The  great  gain  to 
the  farmer  is,  that  having  once  engaged  in  his  service  this  powerful,  untiring, 
and  almost  universal  agent,  he  may  safely  exert  himself  to  the  utmost  of  his 
■ability  to  supply  it  with  every  thing  necessary  to  carry  on  its  important  ope- 
rations.  Seizing  on  whatever  is  valuable,  it  preserves  it  fro*  waste — com- 
bining with  the  utmost  generosity  the  wisest  economy,  it  not  only  yields  to  the 
plant  all  it  requires,  but  stimulates  it  to  ask  more,  while  it  is  inaccessible  to 
demands  from  all  other  quarters. 

There  is  no  fancy  in  this — Theory  and  experiment  unite  to  prove  it  true. 
And  I trust  that  no  great  length  of  time  will  elapse  before  marl  shall  have 
written  its  own  Eulogy  in  indelible  characters  over  all  the  broad  fields  of  your 
•county. 

Permit  me  to  conclude  this  letter,  for  the  great  length  of  which  I owe  you 
an  apology,  by  returning  my  acknowledgments  for  the  honor  you  have  done 
me  in  electing  me  an  honorary  member  of  your  Society,  and  by  wishing 
-each  member  of  it  the  utmost  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits. 

I am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  ob’t.  serv’t. 

J.  H.  HAMMOND. 

Hamilton  Raiford,  Esq. 

Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Agricultural 
Society  of  Jefferson  Co.,  Georgia. 


27 


' 

, 


' 

. 


TO  THE  PLANTERS  AND  FARMERS  OF  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 


At  the  late  meeting  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  the  following  Reso- 
lution was  adopted,  viz  : “ That  the  President  be  requested  to  communi- 

cate to  the  public,  before  the  planting  season,  such  information  as  he  may 
possess,  or  which  it  may  b©  in  his  power  to  collect,,  in  relation  to  the  means- 
of  modifying  the  effects  of  drought  on  Indian  Corn  and  other  provisions*” 

It  is  necessary  for  me  to  premise,  that  what  I shall  say  concerning  the 
use  of  the  plough,  is  mainly  derivative.  From  several  causes,  the  Planters- 
of  the  Sea  Islands  are  but  slightly  acquainted,  in  practice,  with  the  value  of 
that  great  agricultural  implement.  To  give  the  experience  of  the  highest 
authorities,  is, therefore, on  my  part  an  imperative  obligation.  It  is  proper 
also  I should  in  this  plaee  observe  that,  in  consequence  of  assiduous  en- 
deavors to  obtain  facts  from  supposed  reliable  sources,  in  which  I have  sig- 
nally failed,  this  communication,  which  would  have  been  made  at  a much 
earlier  period,  has  been  delayed,  but  not  too  late,  it  is  hoped,  to  be  wholly 
unprofitable. 

Satisfactorily  to  elucidate  the  matter  of  the  Resolution,  would  involve  a 
minute  examination  of  many  of  the  topics  connected  with  the  science  of 
husbandry.  As  I am  certain,  however,  it  was  not  designed  or  intended  that 
my  remarks  should  take  so  wide  a scope,  I shall  only  briefly  advert  to  those 
principles  and  their  operation  upon  which  some  of  the  most  valuable  results- 
in  husbandry  rest. 

All  the  earths  have  a considerable  attraction  for  the  fluid  which  the  at- 
mosphere contains.  The  very  best  soils  possess  this  power  in  the  highest 
degree ; hence,  it  may  with  certainty  be  assumed  that  the  measure  of  their 
fertility  depends  chiefly  on  their  capacity  to  absorb' moisture.  In  determin- 
ing their  value,  however,  on  that  hand,  two  other  properties  have  to  be 
noticed, — the  quantity  of  water  which  is  essential  to  their  saturation,,  and 
their  power  of  retaining  it.  In  all  these  respects,  clay  and  sand  occupy 
antagonistic  relations.  The  former  imbibes  the  aqueous  vapors  like  a sponge 
and  parts  with  them  reluctantly  ; when  dry,  it  constitutes  a compact  mass  ; 
from  the  closeness  of  its  texture  the  dissolvent  action  of  the  air  is  excluded, 
by  which  putrefaction  is  retarded.  The  latter  is  friable  and  a septic;  from 
the  solidity  of  its  particles  and  their  want  of  coherence,  water  filters  easily  : 
In  the  adoption  of  expedients  by  which  to  secure  these  earths  a supply  of 


420 


AGRICULTURAL 


moisture,  different  processes,  in  part  only,  it  is  advisable  to  pursue.  From 
their  predominance  in  the  State,  I shall  direct  my  attention  prominently  to 
•clayey  or  aluminous  soils.  What  then,  are  the  means  which  reason  and  ex- 
perience assure  us  are  the  best  calculated  to  attain  the  end  in  view  ? I 
answer,  deep  ploughing ; thorough  pulverization  of  the  soil ; abundance  of 
manure  ; and  the  use  of  salt  and  retentive  atmospherical  absorbents. 

1.  Deep  ploughing.  The  roots  of  plants  should  be  allowed  to  extend 
themselves  in  every  direction.  The  deeper  they  penetrate,  and  the  wider 
their  ramifications,  the  greater  will  be  the  absorption  of  nourishment.  The 
average  depth  of  good  soils  is  about  6 inches.  Every  inch  added  increases 
its,value  8 per  ct..;  so  that  a soil  where  the  vegetable  layer  is  12  inches 
thick,  is  worth  half  as  much  again  as  that  in  which  it  is  only  6 inches.*  It 
is  consequently  obvious  that,  whatever,  from  this  cause,  may  be  its  enhanced 
■value,  if  not  reached  at  some  time  in  the  progress  of  cultivation  ; the 
remainder  is  in  effect  a caput  niortuim.  By  deep  ploughing  the  capacity  of 
the  whole  soil  is  called  forth  while  it  enables  the  earth,  through  the  agency 
of  air  and  water,  to  inhale  atmospherical  manure,  by  diminishing  the  force  of 
the  sun’s  rays  it  leaves  materially  its  exhalations.  Should  the  substratum, 
which  perhaps  in  every  instance  contains  the  principle  of  fertility,  be  broken, 
still,  as  a general  proposition,  the  most  signal  benefits,  prospectively,  if  not 
immediately,  may  confidently  be  expected  to  enure  from  the  operation. 
Deep  ploughing  insures  the  greatest  product  from  the  smallest  given  quantity 
of  land.  If  by  the  use  of  one-half  of  the  soil  ten  bushels  of  Corn  per  acre 
be  obtained,  it  is  reasonable  to  infer,  all  other  circumstances  being  equal,  that 
were  the  whole  in  tilttl,  twenty  bushels  would  be  harvested  ^ indeed  a much 
larger  quantity  ought  to  be  the  result,  for  the  deeper  the  soil  the  greater  will 
•be  the  number  of  stalks,  and  the  larger  and  more  numerous  the  ears.  The 
Maize,  says  Taylor,  “ is  a little  tree,”  possessing  roots  correspondent  to  its 
size,  penetrates  a depth  almost  incredible — 6 feet,  it  is  known,  have  been 
reached.  It  follows  that  where,  from  the  vigor  of  the  plant  or  the  friability 
of  the  land,  the  roots  meet  with  no  obstruction,  the  consequences  of  drought 
will  be  sensibly  diminished,  if  not  entirely  prevented.  It  is  believed  that  the 
rolling  of  the  leaves  of  corn  is  attributable  solely  to  the  absence  of  mois- 
ture. This  is  an  error.  Scanty  manuring  or  shallow  tillage  is  as  often  the 
true  cause. 

To  render  deep  ploughing-)"  effectual,  it  should  take  place  in  autumn. 
The  expansive  power  of  frost,  and  the  mollifying  influence  of  air  and  rain, 
and  the  action  of  these  in  breaking  the  continuity  ot  fibrous  matter,  are 
strong  reasons  in  favor  of  tire  practice.  Whether  it  should  be  done  once  in 

" Thaer. 

t About  12  inches. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


421 


two  or  three  years  only,  which,  I believe,  is  the  opinion  of  the  most  success- 
ful farmers  of  Great  Britain,  or  annually,  as  is  common  in  parts  of  our  coun- 
try,  is  certainly  as  yet  an  undetermined  point. 

2.  Pulverization.  The  soil  must  not  only  be  made  easily  accessible  to 
the  descent  and  spread  of  the  roots,  but  there  should  be  such  a disintegration 
of  its  parts,  as  to  allow  the  free  transmission  of  air.  However  rich  in 
ingredients,  these  afford  no  nutriment  to  vegetation,  until  subjected  to  the 
combined  action  of  heat,  air  and  moisture — the  great  agents  of  decompo- 
sition. Unless  freely  supplied  with  oxigen,  the  remains  of  animals  and 
vegetables  do  not  decay,  but  they  undergo  putrefaction.*  “ The  frequent 
renewal  of  air  by  ploughing  and  the  preparation  of  the  soil,  change  the 
putrefaction  of  the  organic  constituents  into  a pure  process  of  oxidation  ; 
and  from  the  moment  at  which  all  the  organic  matter  existing  in  a soil  en- 
ters into  a state  of  oxidation  or  decay,  its  fertility  is  enhanced.”  In  a well 
compounded  soil,  water  is  presented  to  the  roots  by  capillary  attraction.  As 
this  increases  in  proportion  to  the  smallness  of  the  particles  of  earth,  the  ad- 
vantage of  their  complete  pulverization  is  plain.  It  is  equally  true,  that  as 
food  for  plants  must  exist  in  solution,  it  is  requisite  to  admit  water  to  the  roots 
by  artificially  reducing  the  compactness  of  the  soil  by  tillage.  From  fre- 
quent working,  therefore,  the  most  favorable  results  may  be  anticipated  ; 
indeed,  it  has  been  well  observed,  that  a good  stirring  of  the  ground  in  dry 
weather  is  equal  to  a shower  of  rain  ; for  however  strange  it  may  seem, 
while  it  promotes  moisture,  desiccation  is  preserved.  To  aid  in  the  increase 
and  preservation  of  atmospherical  vapor,  the  ridge  system  is  especially 
recommended.  The  breaking  up  of  the  old  furrows  deeply,  and  making  the 
new  ridges  on  them,  by  which  the  two  interchange  places,  provide  a quantity 
of  finely  divided  earth  much  greater  than  what  is  obtained  in  the  ordinary 
mode.  While  the  coming  up  of  the  corn  is  thereby  facilitated,  and  the  thrif- 
ty condition  of  the  young  plants  secured,  the  depth  at  which  the  seeds  of  grass 
and  weeds  are  deposited,  prevents  their  germination,  except  in  small  num- 
bers ; hence  labor  and  time  in  the  culture  of  the  crop  are  saved.  In  rela- 
tion to  maize,  the  author  of  “ Arrator”  sums  up  the  advantages  of  high 
ridges  and  deep  furrows  in  substance  as  follows  : — The  roots  are  never  cut  in 
one  direction,  and  this  great  depth  of  tilth  thus  early  obtained,  by  supersed- 
ing  the  occasion  for  deep  ploughing  in  the  latter  period  of  its  growth,  saves 
them  in  the  other.  The  preservation  of  the  roots,  and  deeper  posture, 
enable  the  corn  much  longer  to  resist  dry  weather.  Litter  thrown  into  the 
deep  furrow  upon  which  the  list  is  made,  is  a reservoir  of  manure,  far  removed 
from  evaporation  ; within  reach  of  the  roots,  which  follow  it  along  the  fur- 
rows  and  calculated  to  feed  the  plants  when  in  need  of  rain.  The  dead 


Leibig. 


422 


AGRICULTURAL 


earth  brought  up  by  the  plough  from  the  deep  furrow  is  deposited  on  each 
side  of  it,  without  hurting  the  crop  on  the  ridge  ; further,  by  one  deep 
ploughing,  received  by  the  corn,  after  it  is  planted,  being  bestowed  upon  it 
whilst  it  is  young,  and  its  roots  short,  and  being  nearly  a foot  from  it,  the 
roots  of  the  corn  in  this  way  escape  injury,  andjthe  effects  of  drought  on 
the  plant  being  thus  lessened,  its  product  is  increased. 

It  would  appear  from  this  condensed  exposition  of  his  views  that,  in  the 
opinion  of  Taylor,  one  ploughing  only,  and  that  a deep  and  early  one  the 
growing  crop  requires.  To  clean  and  pulverize  the  soil,  the  harrow,  skim- 
mer, or  cultivator,  alone  should  be  used.  Each  might  advantageously  be 
resorted  to  in  any  stage  of  its  growth,  but  in  a parched  condition  of  the 
earth,  their  reviviscent  tendency  would  then  clearly  demand  it. 

With  regard  to  sweet  potatoes,  the  plough  may  most  profitably  be  em- 
ployed at  anytime.  When  the  shoots  begin  to  wither,  break  up  the  space 
between  the  hills  or  ridges  by  running  four  furrows.  The  newly  turned 
earth  vvlil  be  found  wet  in  the  morning  while  before  no  moisture  had  been 
apparent.  In  a few  days  the  leaves  from  being  brown  or  yellow  will  assume 
a greenish  hue,  and  new  shoots  ordinarily  may  be  expected  to  follow. 

3.  Manure.  The  fertility  of  the  soil  is  the  first  object  to  be  attained  by 
the  farmer.  For  their  dividing  properties,  all  fossil  manures  are  highly 
esteemed.  Deep  ploughing  and  lime,  unaided  by  organic  matter,  it  is  well 
attested,  have  renovated,  lands,  that  in  the  judgment  of  the  former  proprie- 
tors, were  not  worth  the  labour  of  cultivation.  In  reference  to  the  special 
matter  under  consideration  a judicious  admixture  of  soils  is  of  primary  im- 
portance. Clay  applied  to  sand  assists  it  in  retaining  manure,  and  receiving 
the  vaporized  water  of  the  atmosphere.  To  allow  the  fibres  of  plants  to 
shoot  freely,  clay,  sand  and  lime,  acting  mechanically  by  their  mixture,  are 
mutual  manures  to  each  other.  Burnt  clay  may  beneficially  be  substituted 
for  sand. 

It  has  already  been  observed,  that  pulverized  earth  has  a strong  attraction 
for  atmospheric  vapor  and  that  this  increases  in  proportion  to  the  minuteness 
into  which  the  particles  are  divided  ; but  as  the  power  of  the  most  fertile 
soils,  in  this  respect,  is  inferior  to  that  of  even  the  worst  ordinary  manure,  it 
is  evident,  that  “ for  the  mere  purpose  of  withstanding  long-continued  dry 
weather,  those  plants  whose  roots  have  immediate  access  to  organic  manures, 
•will  be  much  beitter  enabled  to  absorb  the  necessary  supplies  of  atmospher- 
ic moisture,  than  those  merely  vegetating  in  the  unmanured  soil hence, 
whenever  fertilizers  are  employed  in  anticipation  of  drought,  or  to  mitigate 
its  evils,  in  either  case,>the  good  to  flow  from  their  application,  will  depend  in 
a high  degree  upon  their  abundance,  and  the  materials  that  compose  them. 
The  richer  the  ingredients  and  larger  the  quantity  more  decided  will  be  the 


PROCEEDINGS. 


423 


benefit. — Suppose  in  a propitious  season,  one  acre,  judiciously  manured,  to 
yield  50  bushels,  and  5 acres,  of  the  same  natural  strength,  unassisted  by  art, 
10  bushels  per  acre  ; experiments  and  practice  prove  that  in  drought,  the 
former  produces  generally  not  five.fold,  but  seven  or  eight  times  as  much  as 
the  latter.  I may  indeed  assert,  that  the  difference  in  product  will  be  com- 
mensurate with  the  heat  and  dryness  of  the  weather. 

Whether  manures  should  be  buried  deep  or  shallow,  or  lie  on  the  surface, 
and  whether  they  should  be  spread  in  a rotted  or  unrotted  state,  are  questions 
which  the  occasion  does  not  require  me  to  investigate.  The  tendency  of 
decomposing  animal  and  vegetable  matter  is  to  rise  in  the  atmosphere ; of 
fossil  manures  to  sink.  As  it  is  known  that  coarse  litter  is  better  adapted  to 
corn  than  any  other  crop  : if  employed  when  putrefaction  has  commenced, 
immediately  before  the  period  of  committing  the  seed  to  the  ground,  or  in  the 
shape  of  long  muck,  to  allow  the  frosts,  rain  and  wind  of  winter,  to  prepare 
it  for  the  putrefactive  process,  every  portion  of  the  decaying  and  fermenting 
fertilizer  will  be  gradually  absorbed  by  the  roots  and  leaves  of  the  plants. 
All  the  facts  that  have  come  to  my  knowledge  sustain  conclusively  the  prin- 
ciples and  reasoning  I have  advanced.  I repeat  that  every  rich  ground 
rarely  suffers  materially  for  the  want  of  water,  especially  if  it  lias  been  pro- 
perly divided  and  loosened  by  artificial  means.  If  therefore,  the  withering 
power  of  drought  should  at  any  time  show  itself  on  poor  land,  let  the  farmer 
instantly  apply  putrescent  manure  on  the  surface  of  the  ridge.  To  the 
spreading  of  compost  without  burying  it  over  the  cereals  during  their  vege- 
tation, the  English  attribute  an  almost  magical  influence.  They  assert  that 
“ the  plants  may  almost  be  seen  to  renovate  and  regain  their  verdure.”  It  is 
evident  says  Thaer,  that  not  only  actual  advantages,  but  also  security  against 
evil  is  to  be  derived  from  the  possession  of  an  active  manure  of  this  nature, 
and  without  any  sensible  diminution  of  its  value.  Though  the  quantity  may 
be  small,  yet  the  beneficial  results,  first  indicated  in  the  change  of  color  in 
the  leaves,  will  soon  appear.  In  the  instance  of  a planter  of  this  place, 
whose  crop  was  in  a perilous  condition  from  the  excessive  dryness  of  the 
summer  ’44,  one  cart  load  only  to  the  acre  of  stable  manure,  partially  de- 
composed,  was  instrumental  in  producing  a fine  yield,  while  from  the  re- 
mainder of  the  field  the  harvest  was  very  meagre.  When  the  application 
was  made,  the  corn  had  begun  to  tassel ; the  stalks  were  small  and  the  leaves 
yellow  and  curled.  Although  the  former  never  increased  in  size,  the  latter 
soon  exhibited  a healthy  green.  This  favorable  indication  took  place  before 
the  first  shower  of  rain,  which  was  slight,  and  occurred  about  a fortnight  after 
the  trial  of  the  experiment.  The  secret  of  my  friend’s  success  is  traceable 
to  the  fact  that,  as  all  fertilizers  have  a strong  attraction  for  atmospherical 
moisture,  he  used  the  one,  which  of  all  others,  in  that  respect,  guano  excepted, 
possesses  the  greatest  power. 


424 


AGRICULTURAL 


A prominent  error  in  southern  husbandry  is  over  planting.  Manuring 
consequently  as  a system  is  not  practised.  This  alone  is  sufficient  to  account 
for  the  smallness  of  the  aggregate  crop  for  the  extent  of  ground  annually  in 
tilth.  Reformation  on  this  head  is  therefore  loudly  demanded.  But  until 
this  ensue,  what  is  to  be  done?  In  what  way  may  the  injurious  operation  of 
drought  be  modified,  as  well  by  the  ignorant  as  the  skillful,  the  poor  and  the 
rich  ! 

4.  Salt.  In  small  quantities  salt  is  a septic  ; in  large  quantities,  it  resists 
putrefaction.  Though  not  strictly  germane  to  the  subject  entrusted  to  my 
charge,  I hope  I shall  be  excused  for  here  stating  the  estimation  in  which 
this  substance  is  held  by  many  observant  agriculturists.  It  destroys,  they 
maintain,  noxious  weeds  and  vermin ; gives  luxuriance  and  verdure  to  grass 
lands ; prevents  the  scab  in  (Irish)  potatoes  ; sweetens  grass,  and  hastens 
the  maturity  of  crops.  Wheat  and  barley  following  turnips  on  land  that  had 
been  previously  salted,  the  ensuing  crop,  it  is  well  authenticated,  escaped  the 
mildew.  Fora  top  dressing  for  grass  land,  six  bushels  to  the  acre  are  re- 
commend ; for  cleaning  the  ground  preparatory  to  the  putting  in  of  the  grain, 
sixteen  bushels,  it  is  said,  may  be  employed  upon  fallows.  An  ounce  of  salt 
to  a gallon  of  water  benefits  vegetables ; a larger  quantity  gives  a brown 
color,  and  is  therefore  injurious.  As  a stimulant,  salt  should  be  mixed 
with  compost,  mud  or  loamy  earth.  Its  great  capacity  for  inhailing  at  mos* 
pherical  moisture  renders  it  peculiarly  valuable  in  dry  and  hot  weather. — 
For  cotton,  I have  used  it  successfully  at  the  rate  of  five  pecks  to  the  acre. 
Beyond  that,  its  effects  were  adverse  to  the  growth  and  production  of  the 
plants.  Manure  designed  for  corn,  should  receive,  several  weeks  before  it  is 
put  on  the  land  as  much  salt  as  will  furnish  to  every  acre  not  exceeding  one 
and  a half  bushels.  If,  however,  none  of  the  measures  noticed  in  this  com. 
munication  have  been  adopted  by  the  farmer,  and  his  farm  be  suffering  from 
the  absence  of  rain  let  him  sprinkle  on  the  ridge  of  each  plant  or  hill  as 
much  well  pulverized  salt  as  he  can  conveniently  take  up  with  his  thumb  and 
two  forefingers.  In  a short  time,  the  result,  from  my  own  experience  and 
that  of  some  of  my  colaborers,  will  be  the  same  as  though  the  ground  had 
been  recently  moistoned  with  a moderate  shower.  How  long  the  benefit 
will  continue  I am  unprepared  to  state,  for  after  every  experiment  of  my  own, 
rain  fell  from  ten  to  fifteen  days.  I can  only  assert  that,  in  the  interval,  the 
salted  portion  of  the  field  was  in  every  respect,  much  superior  to  the  remain- 
der. 

5.  Organic  absorbents.  It  is  not  merely  necessary  that  atmospheric 
gasses  should  be  inhaled  by  the  agents  which  the  vigilant  care  of  the  farmer 
may  have  provided,  but  to  render  his  labors  and  knowledge  more  effectual, 
they  must  possess  the  additional  merit  of  retaining  them.  The  atmosphere 


PROCEEDINGS. 


425 


S3  the  matrix  of  manures  ; these,  however,  are  so  subtle  and  evanescent,  that 
they  quickly  escape,  unless  elaoorated  into  permanency  by  the  use  of  vegeta- 
bles, in  a hardened  form.  The  valuable  properties  of  organic  matter  in  a 
state  of  putrefaction,  if  buried  in  the  earth,  are  absorbed  by  plants,  and 
“ exactly  that  portion  of  manure  which  is  lost  by  the  custom  of  rotting  it 
before  it  is  employed,  becomes  the  parent  of  a great  crop.”  The  most 
common  and  yet  the  most  esteemed  retentive  atmospherical  absorbent,  with 
which  I am  acquainted,  is  the  leaves  of  the  pine.*  When  mixed  with  farm 
yard  or  stable  manure,  especially  if  a little  salt  has  been  added,  it  forms  a 
highly  fertilizing  compound.  In  attracting  and  preserving  the  gasses  and 
vapor  of  the  atmosphere,  lies,  however,  its  great  virtue.  In  a drought,  if 
applied  a few  inches  thick  around  each  hill  of  corn,  considerable  moisture, 
under  the  heaps,  will  be  seen  in  24  hours,  and  shortly  afterwards,  the  field, 
should  the  farmer’s  operations  have  been  so  extensive,  will  prove  the  efficacy 
of  this  simple  experiment.  At  the  late  session  of  the  Legislature,  a member 
of  the  Senate  informed  me,  that  the  last  summer  he  employed  pine  leaves 
for  his  growing  crop  of  potatoes  with  the  happiest  results.  During  the 
drought,  he  filled  the  alleys  with  this  material.  At  the  time  of  harvest  pota- 
toes were  found  on  the  earth  below  the  trash. 

Though  unable  to  speak  with  precision  of  the  difference  between  this  sec- 
tion of  his  field  and  that  on  which  no  leaves  had  been  placed  yet  the  product 
of  the  one  was  far  greater  than  that  of  the  other.  To  determine  a question 
of  vegetable  reproduction,  in  1841,  near  Brest  in  France,  on  a few  rods  of 
poor  land,  unfilled  and  which  received  no  ulterior  attention,  grains  of 
wheat  were  strewed,  and  then  covered  with  wheat  straw  about  an  inch 
thick.  In  despite  of  excessive  droughts  during  the  spring,  prolonged  ar.d 
several  times  repeated,  while  all  around  was  drooping  and  uncertain,  the  pro- 
tected wheat  sustained  no  injury.  When  the  plants  matured  the  straw  was 
found  to  be  “ more  than  6 feet  high,  and  in  the  ears  were  50,  60,  and  even 
80  grains  of  wheat  of  full  development.”  A satisfactory  explanation  of 
this  experiment,  remarks  a French  writer,  is  found  in  straw’  being  a bad 
conductor  of  heat  and  a good  conductor  of  electricity.  The  roots  conse- 
quently were  maintained  in  a medium  temperature,  and  the  moisture  of  the 
earth  furnished  by  the  straw,  facilitated  the  absorption  of  carbonic  acid  from 
the  atmosphere.  As  pine  leaves  contain  a much  greater  proportion  of  nu- 
tritive juices,  they  should  always  be  used  if  obtainable,  in  preference  to  the 
straw  or  leaves  of  other  trees  for  any  crop. 

Having  already  extended  this  communication  to  an  unreasonable  length, 
I will  merely  add,  that  the  true  and  permanent  interest  of  the  agriculturist  is 


* “ Oak  leaves,”  says  Thaer,  “ore  not  easily  decomposed,  and  contain  an  astringent 
matter  which  is  highly  injurious  to  vegetation  as  long  as  the  leaf  remains  undecomposed  ’’ 


426 


AGRICULTURAL 


to  be  found  in  preparing  against  the  vicissitudes  of  the  seasons,  and  not,  in 
weak  and  uncertain  attempts  to  mitigate  their  influence.  Deep  ploughing, 
loosening  effectually,  the  texture  of  the  soil  and  a bountiful  supply  of  appro- 
priate  aliment,  are  the  surest  means  for  the  accomplishment  of  that  purpose. 
While  a parsimonious  u>=e  of  manure  is  sure  to  develop  slender  returns,  it 
promotes  slowly  but  inevitably  the  deterioration  of  the  land.  It  is  better 
then,  to  cultivate  a few  acres  to  the  plough,  or  laborer,  furnished  abundantly 
with  enriching  materials,  than  treble  the  number  without  nutriment.  These 
truths  were  practically  enforced,  in  the  palmy  days  of  Egyptian  agriculture. 
The  Roman  husbandman  was  considered  blessed  who  owned  7 acres  of 
ground. 

In  England,  20  or  30  acres  constitute  a good  farm,  and  in  China  for  one- 
third  of  that  quantity  a large  family  is  well  supported.  The  grass  lands  in 
the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Edinborough  rent  for  $100  the  acre.  In 
West  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  manure  to  the  value  of  $100  per  acre  is 
supplied  by  many  of  the  farmers,  and  instances  are  not  unfrequent  of  ten 
acres  thus  fertilized,  yielding  in  money  $5000.*  To  us  the  full  power  of 
land  is  unknown  ; indeed,  no  where  has  it  been  ascertained  that  there  is  a 
limit  to  production.  The  period  perhaps  has  arrived,  when  not  only  the 
advancement  of  their  pecuniary  welfare,  but  it  may  be,  the  preservation  of 
the  domestic  institutions  of  the  South,  depends  on  a radical  change  in  the 
habits  and  practices  of  the  tillers  of  its  soil.  If  in  relation  to  this  State,  the 
distressing  visitations  of  the  last  summer  have  the  effect  of  arousing  the  at- 
tention of  our  agriculturists  to  the  necessity  of  union  among  themselves, 
with  a view  to  a free  and  full  interchange  of  opinions  in  matters  pertaining 
to  their  common  vocation,  they  may  yet  have  ample  cause  to  be  grateful  to  a 
merciful  providence,  for  the  calamity  with  which  they  have  so  recently  and 
heavily  been  afflicted. 

WHITEMARSH  B.  SEABROOK. 

Pres.  State  Agricultural  Soc.  of  S.  C. 


t Farmer’s  Register. 


ft':-  - 


CONTENTS. 


P roceedings  of  the  Agricultural  Convention. 

Constitution  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia, 

Nov.,  1840. 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia,  Nov. 
1841 ... 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia,  Nov. 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia 
Nov.  1843. 

Report  on  Col.  Ward’s  Big  grain  Rice,  with  correspondence  thereon. 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Greenville, 
September,  1844.. 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia, 
November,  1844.. 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Newberry  C.  H. 
July  SO,  1845... ... 

Proceedings  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  held  at  Columbia,  Nov. 
1845 

Anniversary  Oration,  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  ofSouth  Caro- 
lina ; by  Gen.  George  McDuffie  : read  before  the  Society,  on 
the  26th  November  1840,  at  their  annual  meeting,  in  the  Hall  of 
the  House  of  Representatives. 

Memoir  on  the  Cotton  Plant,  by  the  Hon.  Whitemarsh  B.  Seabrook  : 
read  before  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  on  the  6th  December, 
1843 

Essay  on  Malaria,  by  S.  H.  Dickson,  M.  D : read  before  the  State 
Agricultural  Society  of  South  Carolina. 


9 

24 

27 

33 

42 

52 

55 

65 

71 

79 

83 

97 

113 

169 


480 


CONTENTS 


Anniversary  Oration,  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  of  South 
Carolina;  by  Gen.  James  H.  Hammond  : read  before  the  Society, 
on  the  25th  November,  1841 175 

An  Agricultural  Address,  by  John  Belton  O’Neall  : delivered  be. 

fore  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  29th  December,  1842 193 

An  Address,  by  John  Belton  O’Neall  : delivered  before  the  Slate 
Agricultural  Society,  at  their  meeting  at  Greenville,  11th  Septem. 
ternber,  1844 213 

Address,  delivered  by  R.  W.  Ropef.,  Esq.,  before  the  State  Agri- 
cultural  Society,  November,  1844 223 

An  Agricultural  Address,  by  the  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett  : delivered 

before  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  27th  November,  1845 241 

Prize  Report  of  experiments  submitted  to  tfie  State  Agricultural 

Society  of  South  Carolina,  November,  1844 263 

Report  of  the  Committee  on  Manures  from  the  Black  Oak  Agricultu- 

ral  Society,  by  Fred  A.  Porcher,  Esq 275 


Report  of  the  Cambridge  Agricultural  Society,  on  the  situation  of 
Whitfield  Brook’s  Plantation,  and  its  claims  for  the  Premium  to 
be  awarded  for  the  best  managed  plantation 

Letter  on  Marling  from  the  Black  Oak  Agricultural  Society 

Marling  Facts  and  Estimates,  being  a letter  from  Edmund  Ruffin, 
Esq.,  to  the  President  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society 

Analysis  of  Cotton  Wool,  Cotton  Seed,  Indian  Corn  and  the  Yam 


Potatoes  : by  Professor  Charles  U.  Shepard 307 

Analysis  of  Marls  from  the  vicinity  of  Charleston,  by  Professor 

Charles  U.  Shepard 313 

Report  on  a communication  of  Col.  Davie,  addressed  to  the  Hon. 

Geo.  McDuffie,  W.  Me  Willie  and  W.  B.  Seabrook,  on  the  reduc- 
tion of  the  Cotton  crop 322- 

Memoir  on  Slavery,  by  Chancellor  Wm.  Harper..  . ... 32$ 

Marl — a letter  addressed  to  the  Agricultural  Society  of  Jefferson 

county  Georgia — by  L II.  Hammond... * . . 393 


Letter  from  Hon.  W.  B.  Seabrook,  to  the  Planters  and  Farmers  of 
South  Carolina 


285 

289 

305 


419 


♦ 


* 


. 


Date  Due 


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Form  335 — 35M— 9-34 — C.  P.  Co. 

975.7043  S726P  305045 

State  Agricultural  so a.  of 

S . C . 

Proceedings  of  the  Aaricul  t- 

ural  Convention. 

DATE 

ISSUED  TO 

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CAH  Auj 

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975.7043 

S726P  305045 

